Dale Acheson

3/7/1948 — 2/2/2024

Service Date: 2/17/2024
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Dale “Gene” Acheson a lifelong resident of Craigmont passed away unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood.

Gene is survived by his wife, Ginny Acheson; his daughters, Mandy Fowler and Rachel Acheson; his sisters, Olivia Shelden and Mona Ball; his brother, Wiley Acheson; 17 nieces and nephews; and 44 great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Oliver Acheson; mother, Helen Tweedy; stepfather, Glenn Tweedy; brother, Lynn Acheson; brother-in-law, Joe Shelden; son-in-law, Marcus Fowler; and nephew, Kelly Robertson.

Gene was born on April 7, 1948, to Oliver and Helen Acheson in Cottonwood. He graduated from Spokane Community College and then joined the U.S. Marine Corp where he served from 1969-1971. On June 20, 1970, he married Ginny Anderson, and they spent the next 53.5 years falling even more in love. In 1980 and 1982, he welcomed his two daughters into the world. They quickly stole his heart, and he spent his life doting on them as much as he could.

Gene was a devoted family man. When his father passed away when he was young, he took on a fatherly role for his younger siblings. He also took many of his nieces and nephews under his wing as they grew as well. Family was the center of his heart, and his greatest joy was watching all of them grow up. Gene was also a devoted Christian whose faith was the centerpiece of his life. He could often be found serving the church and the community, being the hands and feet of Christ.

After returning from his service, Gene worked as an operating engineer apprentice. He traveled around the Northwest doing road construction. Throughout the years when traveling around, he would often point out to his family which roads he helped to build. He then worked for Lewiston Grain Growers in Craigmont, first in their farm store and then at the fertilizer plant. The next part of Gene’s career was spent at the Idaho Transportation Department taking care of the state roadways. He then moved over to the Nez Perce County Road Department in Gifford where he eventually retired.

After his retirement, Gene loved spending his time working with the Riggers family, helping them to farm. Gene loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time camping with his family. Many weekends, their camper could be found in the woods. Gene also enjoyed traveling with his family. They took adventures all over the United States together. His family is especially thankful for their last trip to Maine in the fall of 2023, a trip he had talked about taking for years.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston. It will be officiated by Gene’s very close friend, Pastor John Fowler. This will be followed by a graveside service at the Craigmont Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. and reception at the American Legion Hall in Craigmont immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Craigmont QRU or Wreaths Across America.