Louis 'Lou' Erwin Rahn, 93
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 12 years, 10 months AGO
Louis “Lou” Erwin Rahn, 93, of Kellogg, passed away March 5, 2012, at the Mountain Valley Care & Rehabilitation in Kellogg. He was born Oct. 23, 1918, in Elk River, Minn. Lou was the son of August and Annette (Zilge) Rahn.
Lou served in the U.S Navy on the USS Fieberling in 1945-1947, during World War II. There was not much of the world that he did not see. When having conversations about the world, Lou would often say — “Oh — I’ve been there!” He was the only one in the family who could easily use chopsticks — which was a total surprise for a hard core meat and potato guy.
Lou married Marie Huston in 1947. She preceded him in death in 2000.
Lou moved to the Silver Valley in 1954 from Portland, Ore. He worked as a carpenter at the Bunker Hill Mining Company and when on strike, he always had a job with the Forest Service, which he really loved as it gave him an opportunity to be outdoors. While serving for the Forest Service, he fought fires, made roads and built several fire lookouts and he always had a great story to tell about saving the Old Mission from burning down, as it was part of his fire patrol; this was before the Old Mission was a state park and it was surrounded by tall grass and weeds. Lou walked around the Mission where there was a small fire in the weeds on the west side of the building, which had started to edge up the side of the building. Lou had gunny sacks and water in the truck and put the fire out; just part of his day.
In 1972, Lou and Marie moved to Coeur d’Alene, where he enjoyed long walks around the waterfronts of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. Marie and Lou were good neighbors and spent many hours tending to seniors (“the old people”) in the neighborhood — making sure they were safe, fed and would often drive them to their doctor’s appointments. Lou returned to the Silver Valley in 2011.
Lou was a member of the Bunker Hill Twenty Year club and he was a founding member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Pinehurst. Lou used his carpentry skills to help build the church and parsonage. He told stories about building the beautiful rock wall behind the altar. Carroll Chaffee told Lou where to place each rock and he did. Lou loved the outdoors — hiking in the woods and hunting to feed the family, not for just the sport of it. Lou’s legacy and how he lived his life will be of doing a good days work, taking responsibility for your own actions, live within your means, live by the 10 Commandments, be grateful, love your family and your country.
Lou is survived by his beloved daughter, Nancy Rahn Peacock (Michael) of Pinehurst; three grandsons Kyle Rahn, Aaron and Kimberly Rahn, and Scott Peacock; and one great-grandson, Austin Rahn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie; one son, Gary A. Rahn, who passed away in 1987; and three brothers, Clarence Rahn, Henry Rahn and George Rahn.
Cremation was held and private family services were held.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Idaho Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 8538, Boise, ID 83707-2538 or to the Coeur d’Alene Anchor House, 1609 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
You may sign Lou’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.
Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.