Rodolphe ‘Rudy’ Joseph Roberge, 88

Rodolphe Joseph “Rudy” Roberge, 88, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, lost his battle with cancer while at Schneidmiller Hospice House, Coeur d’Alene, on April 10, 2017, knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!

Rudy was born March 18, 1929, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Rodolphe Roberge and Francoise (La Rose) Roberge, the youngest of three brothers and two sisters. He attended a private school in North Battleford before learning a trade in auto body repair and vehicle mechanics.

He married Isabella Greig Cross on Oct. 14, 1949, in Saskatchewan, Canada. They both worked at a golf course, Rudy maintaining the greens while continuing his trade in auto body repair, while Isabella worked the snack bar preparing sandwiches, baking pies, and keeping the coffee hot and fresh. Rudy was drawn to hunting and fishing when he had the time. They had two sons while in Canada, Allan in 1950 and Rudy in 1952.

They moved to Davenport, Iowa, after the birth of little Rudy where some members of his family lived. They managed an apartment building and he worked at Oscar Meyer, also part time at an auto body shop. Three additional sons were born to them while in Iowa: Frank in 1955, David in 1959 and Mark in 1961. Rudy was invited by family to move to Acampo, Calif., where he would work with them in the septic business. While working and raising their family, Rudy and Isabella added one more child to the family: Teresa in 1966.

In 1975, they made their final move to Coeur d’Alene, a place they had previously traveled through, remembering the beauty of the area. Rudy again used his many skills and talents in a variety of jobs in the North Idaho area. They bought a house on Davidson Avenue, remodeling the home in his spare time. He worked at Louisiana Pacific in Post Falls, Idaho, prior to retirement. Before and during that time, they traveled many highways to visit family, friends, or seek new sights in Alaska, Arizona, California, New York, New Hampshire, Nevada, and many other locations, including flights to England, Hawaii and Texas.

Rudy loved and protected his family, a great provider. He always welcomed new members into the family and accepted friends as family! He had a friendly, wonderful smile. Rudy had many relatives and friends on both sides of the Canadian border. Carl Hitchcock of Texas, a great friend, preceded him in death as well as Skip Dalton of Washington.

Rudy is survived by his spouse of 67 years, Isabella Roberge of Ivy Court Nursing Home, Coeur d’Alene; six children: Allan (Mishele) of Post Falls, Rudy (Jeanette) of Coeur d’Alene, Frank (Debbie) of Rathdrum, Idaho, David (Dalene) of Post Falls, Mark of Post Falls and Teresa Bevilacqua (Glenn) of Coeur d’Alene. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, three brothers, two sisters, three grandsons and two daughters-in-law. Dad finished his journey here on Earth and is now at his forever home.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Grace Baptist Church, 13329 W. Hayden Ave., Post Falls.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Rudy’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.