Ronald Lee Book, 91

Growing up on the family farm, Ronald Lee Book learned about hard work, raising and taking care of farm animals crop care and maintenance and being an "early riser." It was a way of life that he embraced throughout life, especially the "early rising."

Working and growing up on the farm, he playing baseball, basketball and football, along with hunting, fishing and trapping in the Iowa lake, fields and streams.

The family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1954, staying for a year before moving back to Iowa. Ron stayed and finished out his junior year of high school at Sandpoint High School, living with his aunt, uncle and cousin: Loren Book “Bookie,” Ethel (Marley) Book and Arlene Book. He played on the SHS Bulldog varsity basketball and football teams, most noticeably playing with Jerry Kramer who went on to play professional football. 

Moving back to Estherville, he met his future bride, Phyllis Marie Hanson. They married in 1956. They built a home, raised a family: Brian, Lori, David and Todd.

The family moved to Sandpoint in the spring of 1967. Phyllis worked at Bonner General Hospital for 24 years while raising and caring for the family. Ron was never afraid of hard work, working with his hands and enjoying a variety of occupations. He worked on Fifth Avenue with his uncle "Bookie." Moving into construction, he helped build houses, including his family home on Woodland Drive in 1968. He then went to work at Kootenai Cut Shop for Bill Fournier for many years. He eventually moved into residential painting in Sandpoint in the early 1990s, having painted houses in the summers for years. He started a professional painting company, Have Brush Will Travel, named after the TV Western show. 

His hobbies and passions through the years ran a full range of various activities. 

He coached Pee Wee and Little League as the boys grew up and learned to play ball. Then he progressed to umping Little League games for years. 

Raising many species of game birds over the years, from quail to pheasants and ducks and geese. Raising, trading and selling birds around the Pacific Northwest. Most memorably displaying quail, pheasants, ducks and Canada geese at the Bonner County Fair in the Bonner County Sportsmen's Association wildlife display building for years along with Kramer's wild animals display ranging from raccoons, skunks up to cougar, bear, deer and elk. He still had wild birds — doves and quail — long into retirement. 

He was the president of the Bonner County Sportsmen's Association in the 1980s. He was involved in the starting of the Selkirk Crest of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Sandpoint with his brother, Larry and Ardella Book; and was involved in the banquets and fundraising for years. 

He was also involved in the building of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint, which was repainted many times over the years. Ron and Phyllis were longtime parishioners of the church for years, most recently as an elder of the church.

He was an avid sportsman and fisherman for years. Traveling up and down Idaho in outdoor pursuits. 

Deer, elk, bear and antelope hunting, duck, geese and chukars across the state. Fishing mostly closer to home in the Panhandle. His lifelong passion was ice fishing for perch on Lake Pend Oreille, sharing his catch of "perch fillets" with many senior citizens, friends and church members. But he did not share where to fish for big perch, except for "No Tell 'Um Lake." 

Ron and Phillis and numerous friends would go to Mexico in the winter, fishing Baja, which led to many big fish stories; actual BIG fish — marlin, swordfish, tuna, dolphin and roosterfish. Most notably that he was proud of where his Boone and Crockett black bear and cougar that are still very high in the Boone and Crockett record book and in the Idaho state records. 

Ron is survived by brother Larry (Ardella) Book; sister Donna Davis; children Brian Book, Lori (Frank) Weiler and Todd Book; his grandchildren, Heather Book, Christopher Book, Kelsee (Cade) Goebel, Courtnee Weiler and Marcus (Rachael) Weiler; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Phillis; son David, and daughter-in-law Lisa Book; parents Lee and Edith Book; brother Melvin Book; and sisters Shirly Poyzer and Alice Bradeen.

Ron leaves behind a lifetime of memories, a loving family and friends. A legacy of hard work and passion for family and North Idaho. 

He will be missed. 

A memorial service will be Nov. 7, 2026, at Christ Our Redeemer in Sandpoint at 1 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ronald’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.