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Chisholm receives honor

JAMIE SEDLMAYER/jsedlmayer@cdapress.com | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 5 months AGO
by JAMIE SEDLMAYER/jsedlmayer@cdapress.com
| August 7, 2015 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE- Conrad Chisholm spent more than 70 years as part of the American Legion. He rose through the ranks, manned several positions and gave his all to an organization he believed in, as many who know him said.

Chisholm, who first joined the American Legion post in Bonners Ferry in 1955, is now a lifetime member. Chisholm joined the Legion shortly after he returned home from World War II, to his wife Gertrude and the 600-acre farm where he grew up near Bonners Ferry.

The Chisholms eventually relocated to Hayden in 1964 and Conrad became a member of the Legion post in Coeur d'Alene, where he would later become post commander. Through his time with the Coeur d'Alene post, he has held every position available at the local level. Chisholm also held the position of Idaho State Commander in 1969-1970, and National Vice Commander in 1971-1972.

Chisholm's wife, Gertrude, better known by her friends as "Trudy," supported Chisholm in all his efforts with American Legion and various organizations.

Trudy joined the American Legion Auxiliary in Coeur d'Alene in 1965 and served in nearly all positions at the unit, district and state levels, even serving as state president in 1984-1985. Gertrude died this past June.

"I always called them two peas in a pod," said Bob Petersen, their son-in-law. "They both had the same passion in life with everything they did."

Patty Petersen, Conrad and Gertrude's daughter, said she grew up in a loving home led by a strong father and a very strong but quiet mother.

"My mom loved to bake for my dad," Petersen said. "She would pick cherries from a tree in our yard and bake pies; we all loved her pies."

Petersen said her dad's favorite of her mother's treats was her chocolate chip cookies, and he always had hot chocolate with dinner.

Susan Faville lives next door to the Chisholm home in Hayden. She said Conrad and Trudy were old-fashioned Idaho people, that they were really good neighbors who would help anyone anytime.

"One of my chickens once fell between the walls in the coop," Faville said. "Then Conrad came right over to cut a hole in the wall to save the chicken." She said it was a great experience to be their neighbor.

During the Chisholms' more than 40 years in Kootenai County, they both remained connected to the community and its people.

Patty Petersen said her father's health has declined over the past three years, but she is proud of the full life he and her mother lived.

American Legion Post 14 members - Jacques Croom, Ron Deady, Bud Nutterville, Dave Shelton and Patrick Shelly - visited Conrad's beside Wednesday and presented him with a pin recognizing his seven decades of service.

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