Delbert 'Duane' Baslington, 89

Delbert "Duane" Baslington passed away peacefully Aug. 10 surrounded by his loving family.

Duane was born Aug. 7, 1937, in Wallace, Idaho, to Geneva Hoffman and Delbert Wesley Baslington. He and his family lived along the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River before moving to Coeur d'Alene when Duane was 8 years old. He would spend the rest of his life in the community he called home.

Duane graduated with the first class of the "new" Coeur d'Alene High School in 1955 (now known as Lakes Middle School). In December of that same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly "Bev" Dobler, beginning a lifelong journey of love and partnership. Together, they welcomed two children and raised their family in the same Coeur d'Alene home where they built a lifetime of memories.

Duane worked for 37 years at Northwest Timber on the Spokane River in Coeur d'Alene. During his years at the mill, he worked in many different roles, including debarker operator, sawyer and filer, until the mill closed in 1990. He continued working in the lumber mill industry until his retirement in 1998.

Family was at the heart of Duane's life. He loved hunting and fishing, and some of his favorite memories were made outdoors with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took his family camping and fishing, passing along his love of the outdoors and the simple enjoyment of being together. He loved sharing those experiences with the generations that followed, creating memories that will be treasured by his family for years to come.

Duane was a hardworking man who had a natural ability to work with his hands and a talent for figuring out how to make things work. He enjoyed woodworking, working on engines and was almost always building, repairing or tinkering with something. He also enjoyed going to garage sales, where he could often find something others might overlook but that he knew he could repair, repurpose or turn into something useful.

Duane is survived by his two children, Debbie (Rick) Garnett of Coeur d'Alene and Dennis (Trish) Baslington of Spokane Valley; granddaughters Jennifer McInturff and Bree Baslington; grandson Eric Garnett; great-granddaughters Kiley Clements, Hailey McInturff, Madison McInturff and Adilyn Garnett; and his half-sister, Connie Leno.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Beverly "Bev" Baslington, in December 2024.

A service celebrating Duane's life will be held in Coeur d'Alene at Forrest Cemetery on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Please sign Duane's online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

Duane will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho.