Donald Kiele

Donald Jack Kiele passed away peacefully at his home on Kidder Ridge on August 19, 2022. Don was born to Arthur and Geneva Kiele on March 20, 1948 in Grangeville, Idaho.

Don attended elementary school in a 1 room school house on the hill near his home. He finished his schooling in Kooskia. He worked for neighbor's doing fencing and cutting and bailing hay. When he was old enough, he fell trees and was rather good at it. The skidder operators liked dragging trees off him because he lied them for easy chocker hookup to the landing. He taught others how to sound out a cedar pole trees for soundness. He worked for a number of Logging companies over the 30+ years, until he retired from logging.

He met his wife Joetta at the Kooskia Days dance in July 1969. They married November 22, 1969.

Don and Joetta raised 4 kids. Fun times when hay was in was trips to the upper lakes for hiking, camping and fishing.

Don loved his family, raising cows, calving time, fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon. He loved hunting and providing deer and elk meat for his family. After retirement he loved raising a garden.

He is survived by his wife Joetta of 52+ years. Their daughters Lisa Kiele of Tillamook, Oregon; Kami Jo Kiele of Rathdrum, Idaho; Jeanette Kiele of Spokane, Washington. Son Donnie (Monica) Kamiah, Idaho. Don's daughter Melanie McCoy of Pierce, Idaho. Sister Arla Gilbert of Emmett, Idaho. Brothers Gene Kiele of Orofino, Idaho; David Kiele of Springfield, Oregon, Terry Kiele ( Vicky) Kooskia, Idaho. Five grandchildren Courtney, Sierria, Brenden passed at 3 months, Naomi and Joseph. Two great grandkids Maria and Kieran. And many nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later time to be determined.