Obituary of Peter Nemeth
Peter Nemeth (99) longtime St. Maries, ID resident passed away at Benewah Community Hospital on September 18, 2024. He was born to William and Barbara Nemeth on August 25, 1925, in Punnich Saskatchewan, Canada. Pete grew up in Canada around Rainy River and Kitchener, Ontario. When Pete was 13, his father passed away, so he left school and went to work. He spent time on a ranch and in a meat packing plant. At the age of 16, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. He served as a Boiler Tender on a Mine Sweeper in the Atlantic.
After serving his country for 3 years, Pete was honorably discharged. He then took advantage of the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Act and enrolled in trade school for Carpentry. When he finished his schooling, he built a home for his mother in Kitchener. Later in Alberta, Canada, Pete purchased a boat, and he offered lake tours. In 1949 he met Mary Minor when she and a girlfriend took his tour on the lake. Pete sold his boat and accompanied her back to the United States where they settled down in Colorado.
On October 28, 1950, Pete and Mary married and made their home in Pueblo, CO. Pete worked as a Carpenter refurbishing homes. After spending 5 years in Pueblo, they spent 6 months in Cheyenne, WY before moving to St. Maries. They were introduced to St. Maries and its beauty by the Thurston family. Pete and Mary moved out on their ranch on the St. Joe River Road. They built a new home, raised their 5 children and cattle. Pete was instrumental in the development of Capital Hill, building several homes up there. He held the Boise Cascade franchise in St. Maries and help build several homes in the area. In the late 1980’s, they took their pasture and field on the river and established Misty Meadow’s Campground. They eventually sold all of their cattle, but the field is hayed even today. Back in the day when the Milwaukee railroad was still active, Pete and Mary had to ferry their pickup truck and farm equipment across the river to access and hay their property on the south side of the St. Joe River. When they weren’t raising animals or cutting hay, they harvested wild rice and managed several of their own rentals in the St. Maries/Spokane areas.
Back in the day when Pete worked ranches in Canada, he partook in the Calgary Stampede where he tested his skill staying on a Bronco for 8 seconds. He quickly decided after that he didn’t ever want to do it again. Also in his younger years, he and Mary loved to square dance at the Masonic Temple. Pete was a self-reliant and modest man who loved his family and found so much joy when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. He also enjoyed playing cards, skiing, working, and hunting for old bottles and antiques. Pete and Mary owned a home in Colorado and also spent time in Arizona; they loved to travel, and they felt blessed when they were able to visit the Cook Islands, Alaska, and a train trip across the United States ending with a road trip throughout Canada.
Pete is survived by his children William (Deborah) Nemeth of Valleyford, WA, Patricia (Rick) Nemeth-Weaver of Otis Orchards, WA, Mike (Linh) Nemeth of Spokane Valley, WA, Steve (Monica) Nemeth of St. Maries, ID, and Peter J. (Brenda-Joy) Nemeth of St. Maries, ID; 19 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Mary; and his 8 siblings.
A Memorial Service will be on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Community Presbyterian Church in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow in the fellowship hall of the church.
