Rick Von Gertje

12/6/1958 — 12/8/2023

• Service Date: 12/18/2023
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Dec. 6, 1958 — Dec. 8, 2023

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Rick Von Gertje lost a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at the family home in Kendrick.

He was born on Dec. 6, 1958, to Gary Gertje and Kaye (Weyen, Gertje) Harris in Lewiston. Rick was the oldest of four siblings; Bret, Gary and Shari, who often lovingly referred to their big brother as “The Professor” due to his calm, soft-spoken and logical demeanor.

Growing up, Rick played under Mrs. Baker’s tree on schoolhouse hill with about 40 other neighborhood kids. In junior high and high school he played football, raced motorcycles, often spent weekends on his grandparents’ farm and in the summer, water skied and picnicked on Dworshak Reservoir with family and friends.

Rick attended Juliaetta Elementary School and graduated from Kendrick High School in 1977. He attended the University of Idaho from 1977-78, then Lewis-Clark State College from 1978-80 earning an associate’s degree in Mid-Management.

While attending college, Rick worked for Brockes from 1977-80. Then in 1980 he started working for the Odom Corporation, Coca-Cola and worked there until 1992. In the summer of 1982, Rick took over the family farm in the Cameron/Leland area after the passing of his grandfather Billy Weyen. He continued to farm there for 39 years until his retirement in 2021.

Rick married Joanne Parks on Dec. 17, 1982. They were the definition of true love, and were each other’s best friends through their 40-plus years together. They had three daughters; Julia, Beth and Mary. He was devoted to the “Gertje Girls” being their biggest supporter and protector throughout their lives. He made sure to attend their sporting events, concerts, Junior Miss and any other activities that were important in their lives. Rick taught the girls many skills, such as changing tires, checking the engine oil, how to drive a stick shift, how to tie a fish hook, but most importantly the value of working hard, being honest and lending a helping hand.

Rick and Joanne took many fishing, boating and camping trips to Dworshak with the girls. They also enjoyed spending time on the North Fork and St. Joe Rivers and taking rides in the mountains. He loved to be down in the canyon and made it a wonderful place for everyone to visit. He built a pond, stocking it with bass so the family could fish whenever they liked, and a fire pit to have smores and enjoy the view.

Rick was blessed with nine grandchildren that he adored and loved beyond measure. He made sure to make many memories they will cherish. He took them fishing at the pond, camping and boating at Dworshak, swinging, tubing in the snow, zip-lining, combine and tractor rides, played cards, board games and roller-skating parties in the barn.

Rick, the family protector, the rock, the “Professor,” the most amazing and loving son, brother, husband, dad and grandpa, will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

Rick is survived by his wife, Joanne; children Julia (Caleb) Proctor, Beth (Cody) Bogar, Mary (Brian) Stanek; grandkids Kaydence, Hallie, Brooke, Emma, Owen, CJ, Kenzie, Olivia and Carson; mother Kaye Harris; siblings Bret (Jill) Gertje, Gary (Pam) Gertje and Shari (Ed) Pea.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Gary Gertje; stepfather Wayne Harris; grandparents Roy and Ardis Gertje and Bill and Ava Weyen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at the Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 12633 Cameron Road, Kendrick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Service Information

Date & Time

Monday, December 18, 11:00 AM

Location

Cameron Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Cameron, Idaho 0

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