Everette Beaulieu

Everette Clinton Beaulieu, aka "Bud," "Frenchie," and "Grampa," of Idaho Falls passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, June 13, 2011, at the age of 89.

Frenchie was born February 28, 1922, on the White Earth Reservation near Lengby, Minnesota. He graduated from welding school in Flandreau, South Dakota. He was serving as a civilian welder in the Naval shipyards at Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. He moved to Idaho Falls in 1958, where he worked as a heliarc welder for several sheet metal companies until his retirement.

He was awarded a lifetime membership in the Idaho Falls Eagle Lodge and belonged to the Christ the King Catholic Church. He was an avid reader, loved to play pool, enjoyed bowling, ice skating and was a master at cribbage! He loved history, mind puzzles and telling jokes. His favorite comedian was Justin Wilson, the Cajun Cook. Frenchie loved to travel and has lived in Minnesota, Alaska, Montana, Washington, Texas, Guam, Hawaii and Idaho. By whatever name he was called, Frenchie, Bud, or Grampa, he had a remarkable way of connecting with everyone he met. He always wanted people to go away a little happier for having talked with him. His wit, his ability to solve mental puzzles, the quotes he would recite, were always an inspiration.

Frenchie was born to John "Sonny" and Christine (Fairbanks) Beaulieu. He was the second of 13 children. He is survived by two brothers, Conrad Beaulieu of Bemidji, MN and John Beaulieu of Minneapolis, MN; and three sisters, Cecelia Gross of St. Cloud, MN, and Maxine (Lee) Skunes and Doris Vleck, both of Bemidji, MN. He has 51 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, two sisters, five brothers, and three nephews.

In 1961, he met Ida Dodge and, through mutual agreement, was soon "adopted" by her children, Jack R. Dodge, Sharon Ashment and Michael W. Dodge. He has 19 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Jack R. Dodge and a granddaughter, Angie Raye Dodge.

Memorial services will be held at a later date, to be announced. Meanwhile, condolences may be sent to the family online at http://www.woodfuneralhome.com. In addition, a memorial website has been set up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_179565392100690&ap=1.

Grampa always said "Give flowers to the people you love, while they are still alive, so they can be enjoyed." Therefore, in lieu of sending flowers to him, please send a bouquet to someone you love, in his honor.