Obituary: Klotz, Donald W.
Age 86
Born October 19, 1928 in Sandpoint, he was a lifelong resident of North Idaho.
After graduation from Priest River High School, he was a logger in the Priest Lake area until he was drafted into the Korean War where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart.
With an interest in science and business he used the GI Bill to attend Idaho State University and became a registered pharmacist, for a career spanning over forty years.
Don loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his close friends and son, Rich.
He found relaxation and rejuvenation in the mountains cutting fire wood, driving along the old logging roads, picking huckleberries, and hours in his yard at home.
He enjoyed family leisure at the family cabin on Priest Lake.
He opened his initial drug store, White Pine Drug in Potlatch, Idaho in the early 60’s.
Seeing an opportunity in the new Coeur d’ Alene mall he moved north and opened Klotz Drug in 1966 with his partner, Gary Clizer.
In the early 70’s he took a break from pharmacy and took on a new adventure.
He went cattle ranching in Oregon.
He was a real cowboy.
He had cattle, cattle dogs, horses and ranch hands and worked from sun up to sun down.
He and his family had many memorable experiences they continued to reflect on throughout his life.
In 1976 he left ranching and returned to pharmacy by buying Economart Drug in Post Falls that he operated until he sold his pharmacy to Tidyman’s and retired.
During his entire career as a business owner, he loved serving the public and appreciated his customers.
Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Badraun and their three children, Mary Angelosante (Jim), Carolyn Stovall (Dan) and Rich Klotz (Kara).
He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great- grandsons, Jessica, Jennifer, Dawn Marie, Kalynn, Annie, Will, Kayla, Devon, and Blake.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene.
YATES FUNERAL HOMES has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.
Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com