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Lauren Kencke
Lauren Frank Kencke, 47, of Boise, passed away on April 12, 2010, after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.
Lauren was born in 1963 at the Elmore Memorial Hospital, to Gerald (Jerry) and Naomi (Whitney) Kencke. Lauren was raised in Mountain Home with his two older siblings, Klea and Danny, and amongst numerous relatives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
His early years in Mountain Home were spent building forts in "the field" with the Petty boys, performing daring stunts encouraged by his older brother Danny, working as a "lawn slave" both at home and at his grandma's cabin in Pine, herding "escape artist" sheep, tormenting the family pet rooster, "Peepers," and various other escapades executed in his teen years with a group of friends who would become his life-long buddies.
After graduating from Mountain Home High School in 1981, Lauren worked for his father at Kencke Electric and then moved to Boise with his beloved dog, Hubert (an expert rock retriever), and began working at Sunset Sports.
It was there that Lauren met Anita (Kratzberg), the girl that could match him "wit to wit," and who would later become his wife in 1994. The remainder of Lauren's working career was spent at Micron in Boise, where he was employed as an electrician for 19 years, working his way up to a position as supervisor.
Married for 16 years, Lauren and Anita had two beautiful children, Ryan, 13, and Emily, 8. Lauren loved his family deeply and was immensely proud of his kids.
An accomplished outdoorsman, Lauren learned to hunt and fish at a young age in the Pine/Featherville area, where he spent a large part of his childhood growing up. He and Anita bought land in Featherville and continued to camp, hunt and fish in the area with their kids and close circle of friends. Lauren was perfectly content to roam the mountains and fish the river by himself, often accompanied by his faithful wiener dog, Harley.
"Camp Wilson" was a yearly Pine/Featherville event that Lauren never missed. We know that he will continue to attend "in spirit" and that toasts will be made in his name for many years to come.
Jackpot, Nev., was a favorite destination of Lauren, as was Jamaica. He took four trips to Jamaica with Anita and friends, where he was enthralled with the music, culture and "his kind" of people -- fun-loving, laid-back and friendly.
Other interests included investing and tracking the financial markets, cooking and watching any and all sports.
Lauren was gifted with a quick wit and tremendous sense of humor. He was a loyal friend and a beloved husband, father, son and brother. We will miss him dearly, but he will live on forever in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Anita, son Ryan and daughter Emily (all of Boise), father Jerry Kencke and mother Naomi (Whitney) Cameron (both of Mountain Home), sister Klea Jones (Denver, Colo.) and brother Danny (Seattle, Wash.).
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Chet and Vivian Kencke, and Phelps and Etta Whitney (all of Mountain Home.)
A private family inurnment was held on Friday, April 16, at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home, followed by a memorial service at the Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel on Saturday, April 17.
A commemorative park bench will be placed in Lauren's name at Legacy Park in Mountain Home. Memorial contributions can be sent in care of the Mountain Home Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 10, Mountain Home, Idaho 83647.