Erhart Carl "Art" Meyer

Erhart Carl "Art" Meyer, 96, passed away Aug. 10, 2006 in Othello. Erhart was born Oct. 14, 1909 near Racetrack, Mont., to parents Louis and Caroline (Jacobsen) Meyer. He was raised on the family farm along with five siblings. He received his education in the Deer Lodge Valley. During Erhart's young adult years he worked and lived on the family farm.

Erhart was employed by the Seattle Post Office for 13 years before moving to Othello in 1952, where he continued his passion for farming. He and his wife Helga also built and operated the Meyer Motel. His heart was in farming and he continued this until retirement. In Erhart's spare time he loved to travel, hunt, and spend time with family. He was greatly admired, respected, and adored by anyone he knew.

Erhart was very active with his involvement in the Othello community. He served on many local boards in a variety of capacities. He was the original president of the Othello Senior Citizens and a major organizer of the funds for the center. Through his community involvement he was voted "Citizen of the Year" in 1989. Erhart was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 208 and active in El Katif Shrine.

Erhart was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, and wives Helga and Violet.

He is survived by his wife, Toosie, who brightened his golden years when they wed three years ago. Erhart is also survived by stepsons Norman (Carolyn) Case of Mesa, Ariz. and Stanley (Terri) Case of Wenatchee; grandchildren: Lyn (Bret) Duncan, Debbie (Chris) Bloom, Kristi (Andy) Bateman, Kelly (Fuli) Chavez; and great-grandchildren Ian and Katy Duncan; Lindsey Bloom; Brittany, Brian, and Bethany Bateman; Kayden, Kira, and Kiana Chavez. He is also survived by nephews Chuck (Mary) Meyer and Carter (Mary) Meyer of Missoula, Mont.; nieces Betty Szirn and Carol Berg of Portland, Ore.; Sharon Rumley of Tacoma; Carlyn (Tom) Saunders of Butte, Mont.; Linda (Dan) Ivankovich of Anaconda, Mont.; Allison (Jay) Streeter of Ryegate, Mont.; Virginia (Mike) Fischer of Manhattan, Mont.; numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Two very special, loving friends, Mary Lee Dummit and Cheryl Olson also survive.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Stevens Funeral Chapel, 511 S. 7th Avenue, Othello. Visitation will precede the service and begin at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Bess Hampton Memorial Garden. Memorials may be made to the Othello Senior Center or Shriner's Hospital for Children in Spokane through Stevens Funeral Chapel.