Vicente Bidaburu

1923 - 2018

Vicente Bidaburu
1923 ~ 2018
Vicente Bidaburu, 95, of Boise, Idaho passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on December 30, 2018. He lived a long fulfilling life blessed with many family and friends.
Vicente was born on October 27, 1923 in Ereño, Spain to Maximo Bidaburu and Josefa Arrizabalaga. He grew up on the family baserri (farmhouse) named "Barrenetxe", where he spoke fondly of his childhood memories. As a young boy in 1937 he witnessed the waves of bombers that brought destruction to the city of Gernika and later was tasked by the mayor of Ereno to help with the recovery process. Vicente also served in the Spanish Army stationed in Donostia (San Sebastian). In 1954 he seized the opportunity to immigrate to America where he secured an honest and hardworking job with his uncle sheepherding in Oregon. He loved America for its abundance of opportunities that rewarded everyone that was willing to work hard. After 7 years in Steens Mountain, OR, Vicente returned to the Basque country to reunite with family. At a festival in Ispaster, he met a beautiful lady named Carmen Madarieta. They were married soon after in 1961.
In 1962, Vicente returned to the United States to establish a home and stable employment for his family. Vicente settled in Burns, Oregon, where he and Carmen thrived raising their two children, Aitor born in 1962 and Ana Maria born in 1964. While in Burns he worked two jobs; one at the Hines Lumber Mill and another as a maintenance worker at the local county courthouse. He was honored by the city of Burns for being the longest tenured laborer the courthouse ever had, an achievement that made Vicente very proud. He retired in 1989 after long fulfilling career. He moved to Boise in 1994, where he spent the rest of his life, in order to be closer to his kids and grandkids. Vicente is often remembered for his witty stories during a game of Briska with his grandchildren. Vicente often referred to himself as "the coyote" because of his wisdom, which eventually led to prowess during the annual Briska card tournament at the Basque Center where he and Carmen won two championships. These moments surrounding the card table were teaching moments for his family. He instilled in them the importance of family, faith, and hard work while remaining humble.
Vicente is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Francisco. Vicente is survived by his loving wife Maria Carmen Madarieta Bidaburu, his two children Aitor (Debbie) and Ana (Jess), six grandchildren Nicolas, Joseba, Mikel, Matea, Isabela, Cristina and his two sisters Benarda and María Luísa still residing in the Basque Country.
There will be a private viewing held at Cloverdale Funeral home on Friday January 4th. Funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 5th at 11am at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Reception to be held immediately following the mass at St. John Parrish Hall downstairs. The family asks that memorial donations be made to Euzkaldunak Basque Foundation, PO Box 2613 Boise 83701. To share memories with the family please visit Vicente's memorial webpage at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com.