Gerald Viken

Gerald H. Viken, age 74 of Mountain Home, passed away on April 19, 2015, at his home with his wife and nurse Kathy by his side.

Gerald was born Aug. 17, 1940, to Doris and Henry Viken in Buffalo, S.D. He was one of five children. His father farmed for a few years in the Dakotas until a fire destroyed their home.

They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where his father, Henry, became a powder man for Morris Knudson, which brought the family to Mountain Home, where they lived their life. He loved to play pool and sports. There came a time when Coach Schiller told Gerald he had to choose between pool or sports, so needless to say we called him "Idaho Slim" LOL.

Gerald worked for Max Stoddard at the sawmill and then Idaho Timber. He was with them for 50 years all together.

Gerald met Linda in 1961. They had their first date Aug. 12, 1961, and have been together ever since. They had two sons, Destry and Burke. He loved teaching them sports and coaching them in baseball and was at every football game.

Gerald was a good friend, a great father and a wonderful husband. Burke and Shontell blessed him with three grandchildren, Brittney, Jayden and Holly, which next to his sons were his pride and joy. He loved to hang out with his sons and all their friends and soon all the boys started calling him Big D, and to this day they still call him that.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Linda of Mountain Home, sons Destry (Joanne), Burke (Shontell) of Arizona, three grandchildren, Brittney, Jayden and Holly; two sisters, Shirley (Chuck) Roberson and Sandra Williams of Mountain Home and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lon and sister Sharon.

At Gerald's request, there will be no formal service. What he wanted to do was celebrate his life with his family and friends. He wanted to have a party and buy his friends a beer or drink and give them something to eat, so there will be a Celebration of Gerald's Life on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the Mountain Home Elks Lodge #2276 from 1 to 5 p.m. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.