Donald 'Don' D. Bolingbroke, 94

Donald Dave Bolingbroke was born in 1931 to Dave Bolingbroke and Edna Fredrickson Bolingbroke in Malad, Idaho. He spent his early childhood in Lewiston, Idaho, graduating from Lewiston High School in 1949. 

Don briefly attended the University of Idaho before entering the Army in 1952 and spent nearly 19 months in Korea during the war. After being discharged from military service, Don reentered the University of Idaho and graduated in 1957 with a degree in business and agriculture. 

While in college, Don worked in the summertime for Pure Line Seeds, Inc., a family company located in Moscow, Idaho, specializing in the processing and marketing of pea and bean seeds in the U.S. and abroad. After graduation, Don worked full-time for Pure Line Seeds and continued with the firm until his retirement in 1997, a career spanning 40 years. Don became the corporation’s President in 1976 and served in that capacity until his retirement. 

Don married Margaret Paulson in Boise, Idaho, in 1959. They had two children, Kathy and Steve, and later divorced. He and Gail Gillespie were married in Moscow, Idaho, in 1977, and Gail passed away in 2003. Don and Barbara Johnston were married in Lewiston, Idaho, in 2004, having reconnected after knowing each other for decades. Don and Barbara’s late husband, Ron, were friends in college, and Don was even a groomsman in Barbara and her late husband’s wedding. 

Don is survived by his son, Steve Bolingbroke, Liberty Lake, Wash.; daughter, Kathy Helbling, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; two grandsons, Brett and Brandon Helbling; three great-grandchildren: Zephyr, Hans and Sumari; sister Doctor Louise Kremkau and brother-in-law Barry Kremkau, central Oregon; sister Beverly Shaffer, Post Falls, Idaho; stepdaughter Diana Juracich and family, Stevensville, Mont.; stepdaughter Susan Otte and family, Poulsbo, Wash.; nephews: David Shaffer, Woodinville, Wash., Doctor Michael (Angie) Kremkau, Missoula, Mont., Doctor Scott (Elizabeth) Kremkau, Redlands, Calif., and Bruce (Lisa) Shaffer, Spokane, Wash.; nieces, Pam Tainer, Lake Oswego, Ore., and Nancy (Jason) Hart, Hayden, Idaho. 

Don was a Mason of Paradise Lodge No. 17 in Moscow and a Shriner of Calam Temple in Lewiston, Idaho. He twice served as President of his Shrine Club, as well as President of his Shrine unit several times. Don was also honored to serve on the board of Governors of the Spokane Shriners Hospital for four years, in addition to being a member of the ROJ Court 62. In civic affairs, he was active in the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and the Moscow Central Lions Club. Don was also a member of the Elks Lodge and a member of several business and professional organizations. In 1997, he was elected to the National Register’s “Who’s Who” for Executives and Professionals. He and Barbara were members of the Orchards Community Church in Lewiston. Don especially enjoyed being a mentor in the Moscow High School mentor program for several years. 

Don was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends on the North Fork of the Clearwater River and in the remote back country of Idaho. The annual North Fork family camping and fishing trip and the annual family trip to the Oregon coast were highlights of his life. Don and Barbara enjoyed many treasured times vacationing on the Oregon Coast and were fortunate enough to have traveled to other parts of the world several times. When Don was a senior in high school in 1949, he was a member of the tennis team that won the Idaho state tennis championship. Don also loved a good game of golf, as well as handball and racquetball. Don was known for being a kind and thoughtful man, and his family will miss him greatly. 

Don’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Orchard Ridge Senior Living for loving and caring for him, and always lifting him, “up, up and away,” as well as the staff of Hospice of North Idaho, who made his final weeks peaceful and comfortable. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to the Spokane Shriners Children’s Hospital at: Shriners Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204; Tunnels to Towers Foundation, supporting veterans: 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306, or a charity of your choice. 

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Please visit Don’s online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.