Edward William Ruhnke

Edward William Ruhnke, 80, of Post Falls, Idaho died suddenly on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He was born to Verna and Ed Ruhnke Sr. on August 27, 1935, in Aurora, Ill. He was raised in southern California and attended Concordia University in Oakland, Calif. He was a Load Master, 1ST LT, for six years in the Air Force Reserves at March Airforce Base in Riverside, Calif. In 1961 he married Dolores (Passey) and had four sons. He worked for GTE (Everett, WA), and retired after 26 years. He remarried on August 27, 1988 to Helen Whipple and relocated to The Dalles, Ore. for ten years, then moved Post Falls. During this time he was a sales representative for various telephone equipment manufacturers. One of his favorite hobbies was freshwater fishing at Lake Curlew, in Washington. Every year he would make the trek over for his annual fishing trip. Ed was also very active and ever present in his church. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Verna Ruhnke and Ed Ruhnke, Sr., and son Richard Don Ruhnke. He is survived by his wife, Helen Ruhnke; sons, Phil (Charity) Ruhnke, Jon (Holly) Ruhnke and Steve Ruhnke; step-sons, Jeff Whipple, Kevin Whipple and step-daughter, Jennifer Whipple. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, numerous friends and acquaintances. He has touched many lives and will be dearly missed.