Wayne Amoth

1934 - 2025

Dad was born at home near Langdon, N.D., where he lived with his parents and his seven brothers and sisters until he was seven years old. Due to enduring the Dust Bowl years, in 1941, his father sold most of his possessions, and he, along with his family and his brother's family, struck out for Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where there was promise of work and opportunity to make a living for their families. They quickly adjusted to life in Northern Idaho, which was vastly different than the prairies of North Dakota. Dad very much enjoyed growing up in Boundary County and the adventures with cousins and friends.

Dad answered the call of God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite church at the early age of twelve. He remained steadfast to that commitment until his passing.

Dad spent two enjoyable years in voluntary service at the Veterans Medical Facility in Roseburg, Ore., where he had numerous experiences and formed many lifelong friendships. On a trip to California, he met our mother, Letha Joann Nichols, and they were married two years later on December 28, 1958. She joined him in Northern Idaho, where she promptly wrote back to her family: greetings from the North Pole!

They began their married life in a small house near Moyie Springs. Dad worked long hours to provide for his family, running a small dairy farm while working days in the local sawmill.

During the first two years of marriage, they welcomed Brenda Jo and Gary Wayne. Seven years later, another son, Lon Darin, joined the family. Unfortunately, heartbreak came four months later when Lonnie was called home due to a heart defect. Lavonne Gayle soon joined the family, and it was then complete.

Dad willingly accepted the call to the Gospel ministry in January of 1971, and serving others, along with spreading the word of God, became his focus and priority.

By this time, Dad had purchased a small excavation business from a local retiring businessman, and his slogan became "Hole, Ditch or Drain - call Wayne". This business was successful through hard work and long hours. However, when he determined that the demands of running the business were too great and conflicted with his ministerial commitments, he decided to sell out.

He then purchased a small farm from his uncle Henry near Bonners Ferry and built a house on the banks of the Kootenai River. He operated the farm, raising some cattle and working for a local building supply store, which he enjoyed very much.

In the spring of 1975, he and Mom purchased a farm in Buhl, and we moved to Southern Idaho. Dad liked farming, but it wasn't long before an income supplement was needed, and Amoth Irrigation and Supply was formed, which became one of the early companies to introduce gated pipe irrigation to the Magic Valley. Dad always seemed to find his way back to dealing with people, as that is what he enjoyed the most. Through this business and its customers, he made many lifelong friends.

At 55 years of age, he sold Amoth Irrigation, leased out the farm, and committed his time to the Gospel ministry. This took them first to Pennsylvania and New York City. From there, they spent time in Hardin, Mont., and then on to Gentry, Ark. Each of these places and the acquaintances that they made became very dear to them.

In 2006, they moved back home to Buhl to be close to Mom's doctors for cancer treatment. Dad lovingly cared for Mom and took her to countless appointments both in Twin Falls and in Phoenix at the Mayo Clinic until her passing in 2016.

Dad first took up woodworking at the community woodshop in Sun City, close to their winter home. After our mother passed away, he stayed busy in his woodshop in Buhl, working for many hours turning pens, bowls, cutting boards, and other items. This helped him fill his lonely hours, and he found great satisfaction in honing his skills on his wood lathe.

In June of 2022, Sage Crest Retirement Village in Buhl opened, and he decided to sell his lonely house and move into a new one-bedroom cottage connected to the retirement home. Later that year, his brother Don moved into the assisted living portion of the home, and they enjoyed their time together with Dad driving them both around the countryside. In early 2025, as Dad's health declined, he accepted the challenges with grace. He prayed with us many times and told us that the Lord had been so good to him. He encouraged us in the last few days to "Follow the path of Jesus." Serving the Lord through ministering to others was always of utmost importance to him.

Dad passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his home. Dad thoroughly enjoyed life up until recent health issues limited him from doing the things that he enjoyed. Although we miss him dearly, we have the comfort that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. In his words: "Don't worry I have lived my whole life for this day!"

Surviving are his children, Brenda and (Pat) Wiebe, Gary and (Kathy) Amoth, Lavonne and (Clark) Wiebe, all of Buhl, Idaho; along with eight grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; his sister, Frances Koehn; Leslie and (Doris) Amoth of Glenn, Calif.; and Don Amoth of Buhl, Idaho.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife, Letha; son, Lonnie; his parents, Walter and Susie; brothers, Dennis Lee, Roland Thomas; and sisters, Fern and Melvina.

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 17th, at 10:30 a.m. at Valley View Mennonite Church, located at 3925 N 1900 E, Buhl, ID. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 16th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley View Mennonite Church.