Conrad ‘Con’ F. Gissel left this earthly life on October 24, 2013, at his home in Rathdrum, ID surrounded by his loving family and friends. Memorial services will conducted at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Friends and family will be gathering at the Hayden Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church 12940 Government Way Hayden ID 83835, phone number 208.762.5718

Con was born in Payette Idaho on March 24, 1935, the son of Lester and Edith Gissel.

At the age of 10 Con’s family moved to Sandpoint Idaho from Payette. He grew up in Sandpoint and graduated from Sandpoint Senior High School and went on to Idaho State University in Pocatello Idaho studying Liberal Arts. It was during college that he and a friend, Chuck Schoonover, decided to enlist in the Marine Corps. He entered the Corp on February 24, 1954. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and served in Korea following the war. He received the National Defense Medal for his service to our country. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on February 23, 1957. He then went to University of Idaho in Moscow Idaho, earning a degree as a Geologist in Mining Engineering.

This is where he met the love of his life LaRae Harrop. They wed in a little country church in Jackson Hole, WY on August 18, 1958. Wed for 47 years, he lost his beloved wife LaRae on June 1, 2006. Con and LaRae raised their family in Sandpoint and Sagle, ID they had 5 children. He was survived by his children Kellee (Gissel) Merrill and her husband Bob Merrill of Sandpoint, Traci Gissel of Sandpoint, Gregory Gissel of Coeur D’ Alene ID, Bradley Gissel of Sandpoint and Garth and his wife Leslie Gissel of Weston, OR. Con had seven grandchildren, Jordan Merrill of Sandpoint, Idaho and Kaleb Merrill of Sandpoint, Id, Candice (Gissel) Erner, of Rathdrum, ID, Gregory Gissel II of Sandpoint, ID, and Breanna Gissel-Rogers of Sandpoint, ID Maddison Gissel of Weston OR, Forrest Gissel of Weston OR. He has 6 Great Grandchildren, LaRae and Levi Erner, Dawson Gissel, Blake and Zackary (Gissel-Rogers) Kraly, and Brayden (Gissel) Maple. He was also survived by his brother Norman Gissel and his wife Dianne of Coeur D’ Alene ID, and nieces Greta Gissel and Leila (Gissel) Rasher. Con moved to Post Falls Idaho in 2007, and then to Rathdrum in 2009, where he lived until his passing.

Con worked in several industries including logging, law enforcement, and railroading. It was in the early 1970’s when he began working as a carpenter and found the career that he was passionate about. Con’s work in construction took him throughout the northwest and finally to Laguna Hills CA, where he retired as a Foreman for Clark Pacific in October 2000.

Like his dad Les, Con was a great story teller and enjoyed recounting his many hunting, fishing and life adventures to his family and friends. His greatest joys included passing down his heritage by teaching his family hunting and fishing, gardening and animal husbandry. He was an avid reader and enjoyed painting. He was a student of history and politics. His great grand kids were a special joy for him. Dad will be missed but always remembered! Yates Funeral Home s has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Con’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com