Doug returned to his heavenly home Aug. 20, 2022. He was 61.

Born in Richmond, Calif., his family moved to Coeur d’Alene when he was seven. There he grew up on the sunlit shores of Sanders Beach. He played pickup-baseball till dusk, delivered curtains on his bike for his mother’s drapery business and pumped gas at his dad’s service station.

Doug was a talented athlete that excelled in baseball, basketball and especially loved playing football for the Vikings at Person Field. His relationship with faith deepened as he left high school and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19.

He promptly volunteered to serve a mission for his faith in Japan from 1981 to 1983. After returning from Japan, Doug spoke in a local church congregation about his missionary experience and two people in the audience, James and Shar Griffitts, turned to each other and said, “Doug is going to marry our daughter!”

A few months later, Doug spotted Suzie in the produce aisle while working at the IGA on Sherman after Suzie’s mother, Shar, told her she needed “bananas.” (Turns out, Shar didn’t need “bananas,” but what she did need was her daughter to meet this handsome, tall and well-spoken young man).

Doug was smitten. Doug and Suzie fell head-over-heels for each other and were quickly engaged and then married in the Seattle LDS Temple in 1983.

They both headed to BYU, where Suzie was continuing her music and psychology studies and Doug majored in international relations and Japanese.

Doug enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 1987 and continued his studies, graduating from BYU in 1996 with a doctorate degree in counseling psychology. As a psychologist, Doug helped thousands of people through the valleys of their life — he assisted those held captive by trauma, helped them repair relationships and urged everyone to “make friends with the truth.”

Doug served many in his LDS church congregation and had a special place in his heart for helping youth. His life was filled with service and love and, when he was in a room with you, you knew that Doug really saw you. All who knew him appreciated his wisdom and his fun and quirky sense of humor. Above all, he was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and his love of eternal principles and lifelong progression stemmed from his deep and abiding faith.

Doug and Suzie created a beautiful life together and raised all five of their children in Hayden. They loved to paddleboard, hike, eat sushi, cheer for their family, wrestle with grandkids and hold hands through it all.

Doug is survived by his sweet mother, Lavon Kraus; father Douglas Ratelle, Sr.; sister Sheri Ratelle, and his beloved wife and partner, Suzie; his children: Michael (Brittany), Alyssa (Tyler), Matthew, Caleb, Joshua (Tammy) and his treasured grandchildren: Eleanor, Tommy, Charlotte, Teddy, Emmett, David and Pippy.

There will be a celebration of life service this coming Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 477 E. Honeysuckle Ave, Hayden, Idaho. Public viewing: 9:00 AM at the Honeysuckle Building.

Yates Funeral Home of Coeur d’Alene is in charge of arrangements. Please visit Doug’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com