In August I visited with Francis (Frannie) Wilhelm on the occassion of his 97th birthday. Joined by retired City Clerk, Chris Pappas, (also pictured) whom Frannie hired when he served as mayor of Post Falls from 1976 to 1980. It was a fun and festive visit with old friends. A few weeks after his birthday, Frannie became the oldest person to parasail over Lake Coeur d'Alene. He had an incredible and extraordinary life for nearly a century with most of those years spent in Post Falls. His granddaughter, Linda Wilhelm, followed in his footsteps and serves on the Post Falls City Council/Kerri Rankin Thoreson, More Main Street.

Mayor Clay Larkin e-mails Huckleberries: "I am saddened to have to share with you the loss of a former Mayor (1976 - 1980), Francis (Franny) Wilhelm  at the age of 97 this AM. I feel very humbled to have spent a little time with him recently on his 97th birthday. He was a very special person, and served the City well during his tenure. The City and its future was always in his heart. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."