Albert Elmer Kirkpatrick

Albert E Kirkpatrick, 91, passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 10:00 am in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Visitation hours will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Coffelt Funeral Service. Albert E. Kirkpatrick was born on April 19, 1921 in Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada to Philetus and Nellie Kirkpatrick, both American citizens. Albert was the oldest of four sibilings, having three sisters Ruby, Viola and Phyllis. The family returned to the states and lived in Laclede, Idaho where Al developed the love of the outdoors that lasted a lifetime. As a young man he went to work for the Great Northern Railroad as a section hand on the track between Laclede and Sandpoint, Idaho. On August 18, 1942 he entered into the military, serving mostly in northern Italy. He was honorably discharged on October 18, 1945, after which he returned to Laclede and his railroad career. When Albert went to work in the railroad’s machine shop, he and his first wife, Louise, along with their two children, Betty and Elmer, were transferred to Whitefish, Montana. Sometime later the couple divorced, and Albert was transferred to the machine shop in Superior, Wisconsin. While in Wisconsin, he met and married Martha Law in October of 1964. After the couple retired they moved to Libby, Montana in 1986. There they became active members of the local chapter of the VFW. In 2005, with both being in declining health, they moved to an assisted living facility in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho to be closer to family. Albert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruby and wife Martha. He is survived by his sisters Viola and Phyllis, his children, Betty and Elmer, his grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Instead of flowers the family asks that you donate to the Libby chapter of the VFW.