Caldwell - Ze Todd was born September 11, 1939, in Twin Falls, Idaho to his parents William Layton Todd and Mildred Hale Todd. He joined a blended family of three boys, Dean, Val, and Jay. Hoping for a baby girl and after seeing a movie of Jesse James whose wife was called Zee (short for Zerelda), they settled on a name for their girl. Disappointed? No way! The light of their lives was named Ze.

The family moved to the Treasure Valley when Ze was five. He attended schools in the Nampa School District, graduating from Nampa High School in 1957. Getting most of his height and weight after graduating, he was unrecognizable at the five-year reunion.

Ze was introduced to a love of the land at a young age through camping, fishing, hunting and trips to the mountains. He rode his bike to Lake Lowell for all day trips at the age of eight with his trusty gun and his dog Klinker by his side.

He decided at the age of 17 to become a farmer. Having had no farming or ranching experience, Ze and his Dad embarked on a lifelong partnership with Ze farming the land and Ze and his Dad raising Registered Black Dust Angus. During this time, he worked at Amalgamated Sugar along with serving our country in the Air National Guard. He sold real estate, loved the stock market but his love of the land never wavered. Ze concluded his successful farming career at age 53.

One night, while team bowling, in April 1961, a young lady named Pat Henrichs caught his eye. Pat had been eyeing the guy with the name of "Ze" on the overhead. They were married February 23, 1963. And so began a love affair and partnership of 61 years.

Ze had a caring heart, gentle healing hands and he was a great listener. He was always there for many kids as well as anyone needing a hand up. He trusted and never sought recognition. He was mischievous and a bit naughty. An avid hunter and fisherman, he respected and enjoyed God's masterpiece of mountains, rivers and wildlife. Ze and Pat spent over thirty years enjoying their cabin at Falls Creek.

Ze is survived by his loving devoted wife, Pat; three special heart kids, nephew William (Deborah)Todd, Melanie (Gerry)Kelsall, & Tyler (Tera) Wolfe; three sisters-in-law, Eva Todd of Sisters, Or, Eleanor Stewart and Christine Porter both of the Treasure Valley; two nieces, Victoria Johnson (Bill) of WA and Jan Keranen (Al) of OR; and thirteen special loving nieces and nephews from Pat's family. Predeceased include parents; brothers, Dean Val & Jay; in laws: Clyde Porter, James Stewart, and John and Karen White.

Special thanks and appreciation are extended to our unbelievable support team: Idaho Home Health & Hospice (Craig & Katie), our Heart Kids, Jon & Paula, Tom and Carol, Shirley & our David Street neighbors.

Suggested donations to Idaho Learn to Hunt Chapter of Back Country Hunter's and Anglers backcountryhunters.org or a charity of your choice.

Graveside Services will be held April 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Karcher Rd, Caldwell under direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Press Tribune from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Ze Todd

Sponsored by Zeyer Funeral Chapel - Nampa.

3 Entries

Earlene Goodman Brown

April 14, 2024

My sincere condolences Pat. I remember the beginning of your love affair with Ze and I know how hard it is to lose him. The years have flown by since I first knew you but I remember those good times. May God be with you in this hard time.

Ray Peterson

April 13, 2024

Every year Ze had dug a goose pit in his field. It was so nice of him to let my dad come up from Buhl to hunt from the pit. That meant so much to me.
Ray Peterson

Ray Peterson

April 13, 2024

The hired help couldn't make it to thrash the beans and they were ready. I decided to do it myself. Ze came out to see what was going on. I explained what was what. Ze left and then soon here he came bouncing across the field. He had a six pack of beer. We all enjoyed a rest, a cool drink and a lot of laughs.
Ray Peterson

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