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11/14/2017 - Fruitland, Idaho, USA

December 4, 1931 - November 14, 2017

Rufo Isaguirre, 85, of Fruitland, formally of Wilder/Homedale, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at his home in Fruitland with his family at his side.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale, Father Antonio Egiguren, Cathedral of St. John's will officiate. Burial will follow at Marsing-Homedale Cemetery.

Rufo was born December 4, 1931 to Bonifacio and Maria Isaguirre in Navarniz, Vizcaya, Spain. Rufo was reared and educated in Spain. He was drafted into the Spanish Navy at the age of 19 and served two years. On December 20, 1960, at the age of 29, Rufo came to the United States on a contract to herd sheep for Quintana Sheep Co. Rufo later became employed by Boise Project in Wilder where he worked until his retirement. Along with working full time, Rufo also farmed, raised sheep and cattle, and owned rental properties that he would care for personally. 

Rufo married Felisa Echevarria in September, 1965. They had one daughter together, Josephine (Josie) Lance.

Rufo was proud of his Basque heritage and he was also extremely proud of the opportunity he had been given to come to the United States to work. He eventually became a U.S. citizen. He enjoyed hard work, farming, carpentry, hunting, cooking, tending a garden full of Basque peppers, watching football, his little dog LuLu and most of all being with family and friends. Rufo will be remembered most for his generous heart and unconditional love. The boys in the family will always remember his greeting each and every time he saw them, "Hey TxoTxo"!

Rufo is survived by his daughter, Josie, his grandchildren Amaya Auw (Jeff), Alli Sue Lance, Hunter Lance and his great-grandchildren, Elias James Auw, Ezekiel Paul Auw and Malachi Eugene Auw, a sister Rusti Sabala (Aniceto), a sister-in-law Matilde Isaguirre and other very special extended family in the U.S. and Spain. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Felisa and his brother Genaro Isaguirre.

The family wishes to thank Sharla, Trina, K'Dean and everyone at Heart-n-Home Hospice and Palliative Care Fruitland.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to Txoko Ona Basque Center, PO Box 1163, Homedale, ID 83628. Condolences may be given at www.Flahifffuneralchapel.com.

(published on Nov. 19, 2017 in Idaho Press Tribune, Legacy.com)