Joseph M. Kaschmitter, 89

GRANGEVILLE: Joseph M. Kaschmitter, 89 of Grangeville passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at his home.

Joe was born March 6, 1916 in Cottonwood, Idaho. He was the oldest child of Raymond and Mary Kolbech Kaschmitter . He grew up and attended schools in Cottonwood and Grangeville, graduating from Grangeville High School in 1934. The family memoir called him, “A hardy young giant whose athletic build and great stature was much appreciated on the basketball floor during his high school days.” After high school Joe worked for his father farming and ranching, then with his brother George on land they purchased from their father.
In 1941 Joe and Leona Smith Horstman were married in Grangeville and settled on the ranch purchased from Joe’s father northeast of Grangeville.
Together they raised five children. Joe had a reputation for honesty and whenever he borrowed a piece of farm equipment, he returned it in better condition than he borrowed it. Joe and Leona divorced and sold their ranch. Joe then moved to Grangeville where he worked for Union Warehouse until his retirement in 1981.

In 1976, Joe and Dana Rice were married in Garfield, Washington and have resided in Grangeville since.

In his retirement years, Joe enjoyed his vegetable garden, especially his Walla Walla onions, fishing at Winchester Lake, feeding and watching squirrels in his yard, and playing with his dogs, always named Heidi or Midge. Joe also enjoyed his woodworking projects: garden windmills, flower box planters, and children’s toys including spinning tops that made their way to China and Micronesia. Joe was a keen observer of the weather, whose predictions often beat the TV weatherman. He was always interested in science and mechanics.

Joe was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville and the Idaho Grange.

Joe is preceded in death by his daughter Ruth Ann, his sister, Marie and brothers George, Leo and Francis.

He is survived by his wife, Dana; his daughter and son in law, Lee and Steve Freiburger of Boise, Idaho; his sons and daughters in law, Larry and Nancy of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Gerald and Ginny of Spokane, Washington, Bob and Pam of Clarkston, Washington, Paul and Sandy of Yakima, Washington a stepson, Duane Cook of Chewelah, Washington, and two step daughters, Diane Clark of Colfax, Washington and Joyce James of Lewiston, Idaho, and a brother Bernard kaschmitter of Cottonwood, Idaho. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 16, at 1:00 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville, a vigil service will be held Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Church. Friends may call Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville.