Jurvelin – Coeur d'Alene Public Library

Dick & Jill Jurvelin

The youngest of 12 children, Reino was born June 22, 1917, on the family farm outside Floodwood, MN, to Finnish immigrants Jacob and Sophia Jurvetin. Julia, the oldest of two children, was born December 12, 1917 on a farm near Rockford, WA, to Arthur and Martha Hagen of Norwegian heritage. Reino graduated from Floodwood High School, then joined the Army in 1939. His initial station was Ft. George Wright, Spokane, WA, where he met Julia (Judy), who had graduated from Lewis and Clark High in Spokane. They were married in Anchorage, AK, in 1941.

During WWII, Reino served with the 4th Infantry Division in Attu, Alasksa and received 2 Purple Hearts for action in the Philippines and Okinawa as part of the 96th Infantry Division “Deadeyes”. Upon discharge from the Army, Reino returned to his family in Spokane and worked as a civil service firefighter and training chief. In 1954 he moved his family — Judy and their son Richard – to Coeur d’Alene where he established their first home in Coeur d’Alene, on Adeline St. In 1967 they had a new home built in Fernan Village where he and Judy lived until their demise in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

After completing his civil service tour, including stays in Guam and the Philippines, Reino obtained his realestate license and became a REALTOR®/appraiser with Acuff Realty in Coeur d’Alene. In 1965, he was elected and served as President of the Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS®.

A hard-working community servant, Reino belonged to the local Toastmasters, Elks, Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club, and served on the Feman Village Council. He was also a life member of the Kootenai Medical Center volunteers and extremely active in the Masonic, Shrine and Scottish Rite bodies. He led the Shriner’s Octocycleers for many of forty-some years, and was a past-director, of the Royal Order of Jesters. He often stated that his main purpose in joining the Shriner’s organization was to be able to do something good for children.

Judy was a homemaker extraordinaire. She loved caring for her home and sharing it with others. She was a fine seamstress, avid reader and loved to cook. She was often referred to as the “cookie grandma” to young and old folks alike. Judy followed Reino’s love and involvement in the community. She was a member of the 3C’s (and their bowling team), volunteered as a greeter and transporter at Kootenai Memorial Hospital putting in over 500 hours, belonged to the Lady Elks and participated in the Eastern Star and Ladies of the Nile programs.