Albert Sherwood Milholland, 74

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Albert Sherwood Milholland, 74, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (formerly a lifetime resident of the Silver Valley), passed away Jan. 25, 2021, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, after fighting months of health difficulties. He took his last breaths surrounded by his beloved wife, Patty; his children and grandchildren.

Albert was born Sept. 12, 1946, in Wallace, Idaho. He was the son of Albert Charles and Helen (Tyanich) Milholland. Albert grew up in Smelterville and spent his childhood years getting into trouble with his brothers all around town.

Albert joined the military after graduating high school, where he served four years with the U.S. Army. He spent two years in Germany serving his country.

Albert met his wife, Patty, when he was just 16 and she 13. Patty worked in the school library and Albert frequently made special trips to rent books, even though he wasn’t much of a reader. Three years later, they were united in marriage on Sept. 7, 1966, in Salinas, Calif. Patty and Albert had their first born son Gordon in 1967 and Danny two years later in 1969. Albert was a proud father who taught his sons the values of hard work, integrity and kindness.

Albert spent much of his adult life mining at the Bunker Hill Mining Company, the Sunshine Mine, and various other mine sites in Wenatchee, Washington and Elko, Nev. Anyone who knew Albert, knew how much he loved kids; so when he retired from mining, he spent nine years driving a school bus for the Kellogg School District. Whether it was handing out snacks, pulling the bus over to see wildlife or playing games with the kids on their rides home; he treated these kids like they were his own. He would frequently have kids that he used to drive for, who are now grown adults, see him in public and excitedly greet him.

Albert took extreme pride in his two grandchildren, Blake and Brett. He spent endless hours with them teaching them all he knew; from repairing lawnmowers, to teaching them how to drive (before they could reach the gas pedals), to teaching them how to start every conversation with a joke. Blake and Brett spent hours and hours in Pop’s shop learning invaluable life lessons.

Albert and Patty spent 54 years happily married and created a beautiful family together that was Albert’s pride and joy. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patty Milholland of the family home in Coeur d’Alene; two sons, Gordon (Sheila) Milholland of Kingston, Idaho, and Danny Milholland (Jennifer Cates) of Redding, Calif.; two grandchildren, Blake Milholland (Jessi) of Pinehurst, Idaho, and Brett Milholland (Samantha) of Kingston; his brother and sisters, Jo (Dan) Hotchkiss of Virginia, Everett (Colleen) Milholland of Pinehurst and Mitzi Milholland of Coeur d’Alene; and a sister-in-law, Kay Milholland of Smelterville, Idaho. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Albert was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donnie Milholland.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg, Idaho, with Father Jerome Montez officiating. It is suggested anyone attending services, please wear a mask with social distancing, per CDC guidelines. The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kellogg.

Albert was loved by so many and the love he had for his friends and family stretched deep and wide. To know Albert was to love him and he was loved by so very many. He knew someone everywhere he went and if he didn’t know anyone, he could make a friend in any situation. With everything he went through, he always had a positive attitude and could light up a room with his hearty laugh and bright smile. He will be greatly missed.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with services. You may share your memories of Albert and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.