Frederick Gimpel

FRED GIMPEL IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Frederick Isaac Gimpel, 72, of Idaho Falls, died August 20, 2007, at Life Care Center. Fred was born March 2, 1935, in Plano, Idaho, to Isaac Gimpel and Catherine Avola Scott Gimpel. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School. He married Shelia Leora Lords November 12, 1952, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They were divorced in 1973. He married Sherri Christianson August 31, 1974, in Idaho Falls. They divorced in 1989. Fred started working at food markets as a teenager and continued working at food markets for most of life. He was happiest working as the old-style meat cutter. where he talked to the customers and they enjoyed talking with him. He lived with his young family in Rigby, Idaho, and worked at Safeway as a meat cutter. He was also a volunteer fireman. He had many stories to tell about his fire fighting experiences. The family later moved to Shelley, Idaho, where he worked at Huntsman Grocery. He tried to make a go of it with his own grocery store in Roberts, Idaho, but had to sell a couple of years later. Prior to retiring he worked as a custodian for approximately 10 years at the INL. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved old cars, motorcycles, and hunting. Most of all he loved to fly airplanes. He even owned a couple of planes when he was younger. He was a good husband and father. He and his first wife had their two sons early in life. The family didn’t have much. But they didn’t care -- they were happy. They had many memorable experiences living in simple dwellings on the farm and in the city. They always managed to travel and see sites like Disneyland, the coast, Mexico, etc. They enjoyed going to Island Park on weekends. Fred always had friends. He would always meet with his breakfast gang in the mornings to talk about the day's events. This continued all his life. Survivors include: Son: Rod (Vicki) Gimpel of Richland, WA Brother: Harold (Fran) Gimpel, Manchester, NJ Two Grandchildren, David Gimpel and Lacey (Jordan) Houseman, and two Great Grandchildren, Zachary and Jordan. He was preceded in death by a son, Bruce Gimpel; and a granddaughter, Tonya Gimpel. Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2007, at Taylor Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls. The family wishes to thank Hands of Hope Hospice for making Fred’s last days more comfortable. ---------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Cindy Dougherty aspendreaming@juno.com I worked with Fred at the Mallory House and had a few ocassions to visit him at Life Care. Fred had many times while at Mallory that he made me smile and I would sit with him for a bit in the mornings before I went home while he was in the dining room. He had a beautiful twinkle in his eye when he smiled and I knew he was tickled at whatever joke I had teased him with at the time. He brought some sunshine into my world and I am very glad I was able to get to know him. I had the opportunity to sit with him for awhile on the evening of the 19th and talk to him. He was not responsive other than his eyes opening now and then, but I believe he knew I was there even if he didn't know who I was. I was able to tell him I loved him and thank him for sharing some of his world with me. I will miss him and yet I feel that he is more at peace now than he has felt in quite some time. My best wishes are with the family and I thank you for the opportunity to know Fred and grow to love him. Take care! My heart to yours . . . Cindy Dougherty Toni Gimpel [tonigimpel@cableone.net] Rod and Vicki I don't know if you remember us but we are related through a great grandfather and when I moved here in the '80's you and your dad called me about how we spelled our name. You had a picture of my husbands father when he was a baby and we discovered that we were related. Art had his parents go and meet your dad and so we shared a bit of that history. We would like to keep in touch and so please try and do that. Last Christmas the American Legion Auxiliary adopted some residents in the Mallory house and so Art and I visited with your father but he had no idea who we were. I've attached a picture from then. May your family be granted peace at this time of passing and know that he is with our Heavenly Father. Toni & Art Gimpel gimp@cableone.net Sandy (Higgins) Kuwana cskuw@cableone.net Dear Rod,Vicki,and Family I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I have been thinking about you, and have kept you in my prayers. I know words arent't enough right now. May God help you with the healing process of losing a loved one.