Mike Mouser, 73

Milan "Mike" Mouser died Aug. 11, 2006 after a 2 1/2-year battle with lung cancer.

He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Funeral services will be held at Ustick Baptist Church, 14301 W. McMillan Rd., Boise, on Friday, Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery. There will be a viewing where family will greet visitors from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel.

Mike was born Aug. 25, 1932, on the Camas Prairie in Elmore County, to Charley and Rosie Belle (Peterson) Mouser. He was the youngest of 14 children.

Mike graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1951 with some help on his senior term paper from his high school sweetheart, Margaret. He married Margaret on March 15, 1952, and spent the "best 52 years of his life" with her until her passing in May of 2004, his family noted.

Soon after they were married Mike enlisted in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., serving for two years, including a tour of duty in Korea.

After an honorable discharge in December of 1954, he served his machinist apprenticeship at Idaho Sprocket in Boise.

In 1961, Mike moved his family to Ontario, Calif., to work for his brother, Jay, who owned M&M Molds. One year later they moved back to Boise to raise their two sons in the great outdoors of Idaho.

In 1963 Mike went to work for Yanke Machine Shop until his retirement in June of 1988. It was then that he opened his own machine shop in a garage behind the house. In 1989 both Mike, Jr., and Mark, joined him in the "adventure" that is now Mouser Machine Shop, Inc.

Mike's passion over the past few years was to make his daily appearance at the shop, making sure everything got done his way. He spent endless hours over the last two years doing what he loved, working on special projects, such as helping his grandson, Matt, rebuild his boat, helping grandsons Jacob and Josh with their car projects, and rebuilding a very special 1964 Chevy pickup. "Mike loved his visits with Megan and was filled with such pride and joy to see his only granddaughter married this past June," his family noted. He also loved spending time at his ranch house in Hill City, upgrading his boat, and fishing, especially for steelhead on the Salmon River above Riggins. "Above all, his grandkids, Megan, Matt, Jake, and Josh were the light of his life," his family said.

"Mike was a person that was hard to forget," they noted. "He had a way with people, making them smile and laugh, never knowing a stranger. He will be greatly missed by many."

Mike is survived by his sons, Mike, Jr. (Mary), Mark (Vickie), and four grandchildren all of Boise; and a sister, Eunice, of Spokane.

Memorials may be given to St. Luke's MSTI at 100 E. Idaho, Boise, ID 83712.