Meredith R Kelso, 96

Meredith R. Kelso, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother and friend, 96, passed away Dec. 20, 2021, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Meredith was born Sept. 2, 1925, in Madrid, Neb. He was the son of Ray Kelso and Bernice Henry Kelso.

As a child, Meredith lived in Nebraska during the great Dust Bowl and Depression. His father was an invalid so at a young age Meredith worked doing hard labor on their small farm. Later, the family moved to North Idaho. Meredith had a great love for Idaho and as a teenager decided Idaho would be his forever home.

Meredith was drafted into the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II. While at boot camp, Meredith’s father died. Returning to the Army after his father’s death, Meredith was sent to Germany near the Rhine River.

Meredith married Merle Sanders in October 1947. They were married for 68 years before Merle’s passing in 2015. Meredith and Merle settled in North Idaho where Meredith built their first home in Pinehurst, Idaho. Meredith retired from the Sunshine Mining Company where he worked for more than 30 years as a mechanic.

Meredith and Merle had a great love of traveling, seeing much of the world on numerous trips. Meredith loved telling stories about their travels.

Meredith is survived by his four daughters: Sharon (Gary) Hoffman of Post Falls, Kathy Kelso of Spokane, Wash., Lynn Enquist of Pinehurst and Laurie (Chuck) Roberts of Coeur d'Alene.

Meredith is also survived by his sister, Hazel Kelso Graham of Portland, Ore.; and 11 grandchildren: Kurt Hoffman, Todd Hoffman, Shawn Wilbur, Michael Wilbur, Eric Wilbur, Kimberly Vansickle, Elissa Calabretta, Courtney Calabretta, Brant Bircher, Brady Bircher and Megan Bircher Young. Meredith is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Meredith’s ashes will be placed in the Veteran’s Memorial Wall at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at Medical Lake. At Meredith’s request, no funeral will be held.