Elloid David "Pete" Lindblad, 80, of Athol, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. He was born June 28, 1931, in Willmar, Minn., to Carl J. and Myrtle Lindblad.

He grew up in Svea, Minn., along with his younger siblings Geraldine and Calvin. Pete worked on family farms, played high school football and was active in his church. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, serving on a minesweeper during the Korean War. After his discharge in Long Beach, Calif., he met Joyce on a blind date. They married in June 1955, settled in Norwalk, Calif., and were blessed with two daughters, Diana and Denise. He was employed by Pacific Pumps, a division of Dresser Industries, for 37 years until his retirement at age 61.

After retirement, they moved to Paradise, Calif., where Pete spent many hours working with the Greenbelt maintaining the beautiful walking trails through the woods. After twelve years, he and Joyce moved farther north and built a home in Athol. Pete had many hobbies including sailing, camping, gardening and woodworking. His passion was bicycling; he rode his daily ten-mile trek until just recently. He completed many long rides including the Solvang 100 Mile Classic. Cruising the high seas was another great love. He and Joyce enjoyed many cruises from the Hawaiian Islands to Hong Kong and every port in between.

He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and an active member of Lutheran Church of the Master in Hayden, Idaho.

Pete is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Diana (Dennis) Stearns of Downey, Calif., and Denise (Jory) Gulman of Careywood, Idaho, two granddaughters, Jillian (Scott) Carlsson of Spokane Valley, and Janna (Josef) Ploetzner of Mountain Village, Alaska, and one great-grandson, Parker Carlsson; sister Geraldine (Jim) Brown of Apple Valley, Minn.; brother Calvin (Irene) Lindblad of Benson, Minn., and many cousins, nieces and nephews from California to Minnesota.

Special thanks from the family to Hospice and Hospice House of North Idaho. Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 1. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.