Tom Wallenhaupt, 77
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 11 months AGO
Tom Wallenhaupt, 77, of Coeur d'Alene, died of pneumonia on Oct. 15, 2011.
He was born in Debden, Saskatchewan, Canada, Sept. 30, 1934, to Roy and Emma Wallenhaupt. He moved to the United States at age 9. He and his dad lived in many different places. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy. He spent most of his military experience in the Philippines, building a Navy base.
Tom married Charlotte Running in 1959. They had three children: Joe Wallenhaupt, Angie LaPlant (Jim), and Mark Wallenhaupt (Chris). He has three grandchildren: Jessica Spurr, Andrew LaPlant, and Jamie LaPlant.
In 1978 Tom and Charlotte divorced.
Tom had several jobs before joining the U.S. Postal Service, from which he retired in 1989, and was active in the American Postal Workers Union. He served as Idaho State President for 10 years. He combined his love of traveling on freight trains with his method of transportation to national meetings. That stopped in 1980 when he married Katherine (Schroder-Hake).
Tom and Kathy had 31 happy and challenging years together. Tom was diagnosed as bipolar in 1983. Sometimes bipolar spoke for him and other times he spoke of bipolar to educate and inform others. It opened many doors to both he and Kathy to speak about the challenges of both the manic and depressive episodes. They found many were relieved to finally find someone who understood the ups and downs they watch in their own family or friends.
Tom took his "Walk to Emmaus," a spiritual renewal retreat, in 1997. It was a turning point in his Christian walk.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Roy Wallenhaupt, mother, Emma Stevens, and brothers George Wallenhaupt and Lloyd Wollenhaupt. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, Joe Wallenhaupt, Angie (Jim) LaPlant, Mark (Chris) Wallenhaupt, and three grandchildren; Jessica Spurr, Andrew LaPlant, Jamie LaPlant, sister Betty Messier and brother Harvey Wallenhaupt.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at Church of the Nazarene, 4000 Fourth St. (next to the round about).
A salad and dessert potluck will follow the service. Please bring food in non-returnable containers. Yates Funeral is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Tom's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book. Please make donations to your local Food Bank.