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Frederick K. Booth, 82

Frederick K. Booth was born on Jan. 27, 1938, in Bluffton, Ind., and passed away on Feb. 5, 2020, at the age of 82, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Fred had not been well for a number of years beginning with a stroke in 2013, and in following years he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In 1956, Fred had graduated from Bluffton High School in Indiana and was in the Navy Reserve. Fred and Carol Venis were married on Sept. 6, 1959 in Bluffton and later became parents to two sons, Mark in 1961 and William in 1966.

Soon after Fred graduated from high school, he acquired a barber license and worked as a barber in Fort Wayne, Ind. Later, he obtained his real estate license and began to sell real estate in Bluffton and later began Booth Realty there. Fred also taught a class on how to pass the Indiana state real estate licensing exam for Indiana University. Fred’s instruction was so successful that the Purdue Extension Center in Fort Wayne asked him to serve as an instructor, which continued for sometime.

In 1974, Fred’s wife, Carol, was told by doctors that her parents’ health was declining and they would benefit by living in a warmer climate. In 1975, Fred and Carol, along with Carol’s parents, moved to Upland, Calif. Carol’s sister, Donna, and her family lived nearby, as well as several relatives. During this period, the Booth family began to grow in the Christian faith and trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Fred, Carol and their boys grew spiritually and in the application of the Bible in daily life, and remain strong in the centrality and love of Christ.

Fred successfully built and sold many custom homes in the Southern California vicinity. As for hobbies, Fred acquired a pilot’s license and he enjoyed snow skiing. He also always liked a good joke and had plenty more to share.

In 1991, Fred and Carol, along with her sister, Donna, left California after prayerful consideration and relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Carol and Donna’s mother, Ruth Venis, also joined in the move. In 1992, Fred built their own home and launched a successful but slower paced home remodeling and custom cabinetry business. The family often jokes and chuckles, for Fred had a two-year waiting list for his exclusive cabinetry and he was hoping to retire rather than to speed-up business. Eventually, Fred’s health led to his retirement, but he is known to this day for the quality of his work and his many friends. Fred and Carol greatly enjoyed attending River of Life Friends Church in Post Falls.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rosemond Booth of Bluffton. He is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Mark (Carolyn) Booth and grandsons Timothy and David Booth of Seattle, Washington; son, William (Mary) Booth and grandchildren Rachel and Steven Booth of Upland, Calif.; a younger brother, Charles Booth from Goshen, Ind. and younger sister, Mrs. Don Bowman (Deborah) of Bluffton.

A viewing will be held at noon on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m., at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St. Post Falls, Idaho. Fred will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls.

The family would like to say thank you to Crest Hospice, Heritage Health, The Lodge, Schneidmiller Hospice House, and to English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho, for their love and service to Fred and family.