Norman R. Goede, 94, went home to be with his Lord on May 26, 2011. Norm was born and raised on a wheat farm in Odessa, Wash.

He and his brother helped out in the fields as soon as they were able. He was involved in school athletics playing football, basketball and tennis. Making it to state in all three sports. After graduating from Odessa High School in 1935 he attended both EWU in Cheney, Wash., and Kinman business schools in Spokane. There he met the love of his life, Jeanne, at a school dance. They were married Feb. 2, 1940, and made their home in Coeur d'Alene.

Norm got a job tending bar at the Athletic Round Table. Soon after he started his own business, Goede Sales and Fuel. He later became a distributor of Canada Dry/Nesbitts in North Idaho. In 1954 he purchased the Sourdough Club. He and Jeanne worked all aspects of the business until it was sold in 1969. Norm attempted retirement but soon found out it wasn't for him at that time. He became a bus driver for school district No. 271 and filled in at the Elks and Eagles as a bar tender. He gradually slid into retirement and began to snow bird in Hawaii and the Southwest. He traveled far and wide for many years.

Norm was a member of the Eagles, Elks and El Katif Shrine.

He was an avid gardener, pinochle player and football fan. He enjoyed attending Coeur d'Alene Bible Church regularly until health did not permit.

Family was very important to him. The family gathered at their home in Fernan at least once a week and were always eager to go on family outings.

He is survived by his sons, Bob Goede of Spokane, Jahn Goede (grandchildren Sammy and Jamey) of Black Diamond, Wash.; and daughter Paulette Farmer of Coeur d'Alene (grandson Gary Stott of Post Falls, grandson Jeff Farmer and wife Gina of Hoquiam, Wash.). He had seven great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Emma Goede; wife of 60 years, Jeanne in 1999; and brother Weldon.

We will miss his generosity, sense of humor, energy, spirit and most of all his smile.

In lieu of flowers the family asks all donations be made to the Shriners hospital for crippled children.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Reception to follow (location to be announced).

Yates Funeral Home is in care of the final arrangements. Please visit Norman's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.