Obituary of Lawrence H. "Farmer" Banderob

Lawrence H."Farmer" Banderob (81) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d' Alene, ID on April 18,2017. He was born to Ernest and Edith (Smeding) Banderob on November 20, 1935 at the Huntley Project in Worden, MT. Lawrence spent his childhood in Worden. At the age of 12 Lawrence moved to the farm on Hells Gulch near St. Maries. He attended school at Grassy Mountain School until it closed, then finished his school days in St. Maries. In high school he met Rose Hills. The couple married and moved to Superior, MT where Lawrence found work at a sawmill. Expecting twins they moved back to St. Maries where sadly the twins died shortly after birth. Lawrence and Rose then had a daughter Crystal and a son Dusty. They moved to Fernwood where he worked at the local mill. Lawrence and Rose divorced. He met Wilma Stratton and they joined their two families together when they married in June of 1965. They made their home on Harrison Flats then moved to a farm near Plummer, ID where they had a son Larry in 1968. In 1969 they moved back to Hells Gulch. Lawrence worked for Larry Ragan Logging for many years and retired from logging in 1995. He enjoyed farming for the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Grange and was involved with the Benewah County Fair. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed playing cards with friends at the Senior Center and attending auctions where he found many treasures. Some of his favorite pastimes included collecting guns, tractors, and tools, tinkering in his shop, and spending time with his grandchildren. Lawrence was known for his sense of humor and loved teasing and telling jokes. He was well loved by his community. Lawrence and Wilma were faithful church members and Lawrence had a strong love of God and country. He enjoyed the daily ritual of playing cribbage with Wilma, then doing the chores, and having coffee with friends in the afternoon. Lawrence was just happy being a farmer and loved his life on the mountain. Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife Wilma of 51 years, his grandson John McMunn, and son in-law Randy McClure. He is survived by his children Crystal(Andy) Lecoultre of St. Maries, Dusty(Lisa) Banderob of Rathdrum, George(Lynn) Stratton Jr. of Post Falls, Charlene(Russell) Pandina of Columbia Falls, MT, Mary McClure of Colorado Springs CO, and Larry Banderob. Also surviving are his brother Ralph(Martha) Banderob of St. Maries and sister Ann Sturgeon of Arkansas, 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be Friday, April 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Eagles Lodge. Interment will be at 4:30 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, ID.