euskalkultura.eus

10/17/2023 - Boise, Idaho, USA

George Henry Mendiola was born March 27, 1935, in Winnemucca, Nevada. He died peacefully at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise with his loving family at his side. Both of his parents were Basque. His father immigrated from the Basque country when he was 17. George’s mother was born in Nevada not far from McDermitt.

George’s family moved to Harper, Oregon where he grew up on the farm. In 1954 he graduated from Harper High School and as Valedictorian of his class he was honored with a scholarship to College of Idaho where he completed his freshman year. In 1956 he joined the Army and was shipped to Korea; the voyage was not a good experience for him. He was sent to the DMZ and because of his typing skills, he was assigned to work in the American Red Cross office on base there. When he returned from Korea, he found a job with Idaho First National Bank (IFNB) in Boise. Banking was a good fit for him, and he enjoyed his banking career until he retired in 1997. When the GI Bill became available, George decided to return to college enrolling at Boise State, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. After graduation he looked for job opportunities and took a job with Bank of Cowlitz County in Longview, Washington. He worked there for six years then decided to come back to Idaho to be closer to family. Idaho First National Bank had a job for him, so he moved his family back to Boise.

As it happened, George met Carol Joslyn at IFNB in the summer of 1959. She was working there for the summer planning to go to Washington State University. Carol’s mom loved George and she encouraged her daughter to stay in Boise so she wouldn’t be so far away from her sweetheart. They were married in November of 1959. Their son Randall George was born in 1960. In 1968 their son, Gregory Paul, was adopted and in 1970 their daughter, Cheryl Ann, was adopted.

In 1989 George and Carol built a house in Boise where he enjoyed living the rest of his life. He made more friends, traveled a little more, played more golf, played more cards, drank more wine and generally enjoyed life.

George is survived by his wife Carol and his children Randy (Gina), Greg (Cindy), and Cheryl, grandchildren Britni (Chris), Zachary (Monica), Cassi (Eric), Tom John, River and 8 great-grandchildren as well as George’s sister Joan Mendiola Anderson, sister-in-law Dottie Mendiola plus multiple nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by both his parents, his brother Paul (Mona) Mendiola, his brother Larry Mendiola, and his great granddaughter Daisy Grace Watkins.

Services will be conducted by Bowman Funeral Parlor with graveside services in Dry Creek Cemetery at 11:00 on October 30. (We suggest you enter the cemetery from Old Highway 55) You may like to join family members wearing blue and orange that day.

All are invited to join us at The Riverside hotel in Boise about 12:30 to celebrate his life! In lieu of flowers donations in George’s memory may be sent to Idaho Food Bank or your favorite charity.

(published by Bowman Funeral Home)

Gugan Bego (GB) - May Rest in Peace