John Dreblow Hart, 94

After a long bout with dementia, John D. Hart passed away Aug. 26, 2019. He was born in Coeur d’Alene on Nov. 18, 1924, to Harry and Jenny Hart. He and his younger sister, Barbara, lived their whole lives in Coeur d’Alene, growing up at 716 Garden Ave. He graduated high school in Coeur d’Alene in 1943, then worked at his parents’ drug store, Hart Drug, where he met Roberta (Bertie) Jean Dark, the love of his life. They were married in 1947.

They then built and operated Hart’s Motel on North Fourth Street, before moving it to East Sherman Avenue. John also worked in the evenings at the Potlatch Mill, which is now The Resort Golf Course. John and his family were big hydroplane fans and would usually get the first hydroplane racer in town for the Diamond Cup staying at their motel. They became lifelong friends with some of these hydroplane drivers and their pit crews and families.

Their first child, Susan Alene Hart, was born in 1955 while they owned the motel on Sherman Avenue. They later sold the motel and John went to work in Spokane for Sears Roebuck, at the Northtown Mall, in the kitchen planning department. He later tired of the commute and went to work at Knudtsen Chevrolet as a salesman.

At that time they lived on Stanley Hill, where their son, John Hamilton Hart, was born in 1964.

John’s parents had a beautiful home in Coeur d’Alene and a cabin on the south side of Hayden Lake, where John spent a lot of time. He eventually had a permanent home built on the property, which is still Bertie’s residence. John used to ride his bike on dirt roads from the drugstore out to the Clark House on Hayden Lake, to deliver prescriptions.

He enjoyed deer and elk hunting with his buddies — and when pheasant hunting, he taught his daughter, Susie, to say “slap leather” when she saw one, so he could get the gun ready. He taught both his children to fish and catch and release turtles in Hayden Lake.

John was a member of the Hayden Lake Country Club, where he and Bertie loved golfing and socializing. He was a Seahawks and Mariners fan and enjoyed trips to Seattle to take in a game. His favorite activity in the summer was floating on a lounge in Hayden Lake or sitting on his deck, in shorts, bare chested, drinking a beer as he watched his family swimming and riding the jet-ski.

John will be missed by his family and friends. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 72 years, Bertie; their daughter, Susie and her husband, Scott Fischer; and their son, John and his wife, Susan. He is also cherished by his grandchildren, Travis (and Sarah) Fischer, Adam (and Meg) Fischer and Alexis Hart. Great-grandchildren include Ryan and Garrett Fischer, Huck Fischer and new grandson, Jackie Finch Fischer, born Aug. 20, 2019.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Craig Sumey officiating. A reception will follow. Yates Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, or Schneidmiller House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

The family wants to thank the Renaissance Assisted Living and Honeysuckle Place for excellent care.

We love you dad! You will always be in our hearts and minds. You may leave condolences at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.