Jeff always said that today was a good day to go to Heaven, and he went Saturday, June 4, 2016, after a battle with cancer. Jeff was born on Feb. 5, 1955, in Modesto, Calif., to Vernon and Faith (Frederick) Alltus. He was the fifth of six siblings, his mom’s “Little Jeffy.”

Jeff graduated from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto in 1973 and from California State University Stanislaus in 1978. He became a Christian at the end of high school, and remained a committed and passionate follower of Jesus throughout his life. Telling others about Christ was one of his favorite things to do.

Jeff moved to Hayden, Idaho, with his first wife, Margaret, in 1982. They had a daughter, Lindsey, in 1983, and a son, Ryan, in 1985. Jeff’s love of the outdoors is what brought them north, and he hunted, fished, and camped at every opportunity. Jeff continued to sell life and health insurance through Jeff Alltus Insurance Services after moving to Idaho. He also taught Bible classes at North Idaho Christian School for a time. Jeff was one of the starting members of New Life Community Church, where he was an elder. He loved going and meeting new people as part of outreach for New Life. The Lord called Jeff to run for the state Legislature in 1994, and he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives where he served from 1994 to 2000.

Jeff married Janice (Higgins) Carpenter on Sept. 30, 2000, in Vancouver, B.C., after reconnecting from many years prior. Jan brought a son, Chase, and a daughter, Megan, into the marriage, and Jeff considered them like his own children. Jeff grew to dislike the cold winters, and he and Jan eventually purchased a home in Panama on the Caribbean, his home away from home. For years, he co-taught a men’s Bible study on Saturday mornings through Candlelight Christian Fellowship. He was also part of an in-home Bible study for a long time.

Jeff would help anyone with anything, and he was always dropping in to plow a driveway or fix a car or use one of his other numerous talents for good. More than anything, Jeff loved to spend time with his family, bringing his kids along on insurance appointments when they were young, going for walks, and playing games together. Hunting, especially with his son, Ryan and son-in-law Mike, was his passion, and he raised them to be the next generation of avid hunters. He was less successful in imparting his love for barely-cooked meat to his offspring.

He always said he was the most blessed person he knew, but really we were the ones blessed to know him. He will be deeply, dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; his children, Lindsey (Louis) Swingrover, Ryan, Megan (Michael) Gray and Chase (Anna) Carpenter; grandchildren Payton, Finley, Hudson, Soren, Kelyn, Bella and Ezra; siblings Larry Alltus, Vickie Lepley, Susan Moran and Patty Ford; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Alltus and his nephew, Patrick Alltus.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. A service remembering his life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016, at Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice House of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835. You may visit Jeff’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.