Clifford Elmer Rusho, 73

Clifford Elmer Rusho, of Post Falls, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 24, 2013. He was at home with his wife and three children by his side as he crossed over. At age 73, he lost his long and hard fought battle with COPD and complications from pneumonia.

Cliff was born May 31, 1939, in Newport, Wash., to Elmer and Grace Rusho. He grew up on a farm in Blanchard with his two sisters, Ila and June and brother Glenn. His best friend through school was Herman (Butch) Glander. They enjoyed riding motorcycles and getting a soda at the local store. When Cliff was 13 he started driving his dad's tractor on the farm. His love for cars and heavy equipment carried on throughout his life.

Cliff worked the family farm and ran his own garbage rout until age 18 when he entered the military in 1958. While in the Army he was stationed in Korea and served as a medic and litter jeep driver in a MASH unit and was witness to the Korean war peace talks.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the military he returned to his home town of Blanchard where he held several jobs doing what he enjoyed. Saw mills, construction and driving a logging truck. Logging was his favorite of all. He would rise as early as 2 a.m. most mornings to start his work days driving logging trucks for Fred Craner, Rich Nordstrom, Verton Keinke and Webco Inc.

During his long carrier as a logger he met and married his second wife, Dorene Jeanette Rusho. They were married 16 years at his passing.

Cliff loved to have visitors and always seemed to have company around. He loved the woods and his many dogs (yorkies were his favorite). He had a sweat tooth and loved cookies and coffee but he especially loved his family. He also enjoyed working in his wood shop, going to the Falls Club and watching NASCAR on TV. He always had a story or joke to tell and he loved to play cards.

Clifford Rusho is survived by his wife, Dorene Rusho of Post Falls; Lori (and Jeff) Barker, Kim (and Randal) Adair; and one son, Calvin (and Christine) Rusho.

He also leaves behind grandsons, J.J. (and Jennifer) Barker, Dr. Robert (and Kimberly) Barker, Garrett (and April) Edmiston, Trennon and Dustin Edmiston, and Kyle Rusho. He leaves behind one granddaughter, Kacey Rusho.

He also leaves behind step-children, Diana (and Rick) West, Paul (and Maria) Wilks, and Glenna (and George) Hendrix. Among the step-children whom he always loved to include in his family he also left behind their seven children and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Grace Rusho; his brother, Glenn Rusho; sister-in-law Delores Rusho and his son-in-law, Ed Edmiston.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013, at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls. Chaplin Nathan Ziegler of River City Hospice will be officiating the service. All are welcome to attend. A reception will be held at the chapel immediately following the service.

The family would like to thank the River City Hospice staff and Chaplin Nathan Ziegler and Dr. Billingslea of Post Falls Family Medicine for all their help and care during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers the family would ask for donations directed to River City Hospice in Post Falls.