December 20, 2017 will forever be a day to remember and will never be the same again. Our loving, hardworking husband, father, son, grandfather and great-grandfather has left us due to a tragic work accident.
Jeffrey Miles Midstokke was born to Richard and Shirley Midstokke in San Jose, CA, September 13, 1962. The family moved to Peck, Idaho in 1971.
Jeff married Renee’ Cobbs in 1979 and they had two children, Shan Avila and Brandon Midstokke. They divorced in 1981.
Jeff married Misty Atkinson on June 23, 1990 after they had lived together for 6 years. They have one son together, Dylan Midstokke.
Jeff worked for Potlatch Corp for many years, starting at Jaype in Pierce, then later transferring to the Potlatch mill in Lewiston, Idaho, as a millwright. Jeff took a few years break from millwork and went to work as a machinist at Nightforce in Orofino, Idaho, before going back to work as a millwright at both Tri-Pro in Orofino and Guy Bennett Lumber in Clarkston.
Jeff loved to do so many things, most of them all including one or all of his family members. He enjoyed working/playing with the cows which took up a lot of his time, especially during the months of calving. Jeff was such a hardworking man, who never backed down from any task that was before him.
He was so smart. There just wasn’t anything he couldn’t do or fix. We never seemed to worry about things as they broke down, just knew that he would be able to make it work again.
Jeff loved family gatherings and always wanted to cook a feast. Even when there was already more than enough food, he always wanted to ‘smoke a fish’, or bring a ham, or cook a buffalo roast. He loved making jerky, always enough to share. No one would ever leave hungry or without leftovers to take home.
Watching the Seahawks was a family passion since the 1980’s and he was so fortunate to attend three Seahawk games. The most recent game was this October with both sons and his wife. It was a terrific time and a lasting memory.
Jeff loved his three children very much. They were all so very special to him. He was so proud of them, and never ever missed an opportunity to let them know, and to brag on them. He was so proud of each of their journeys into adulthood, their hurdles they each overcame, and each of their accomplishments.
He was able to see them each improve their lives with promotions and advances in things they love. He was such an encouraging man, and always tried to advise them with the different obstacles and directions all their lives have taken them. Jeff just always wanted them to know that he was available for each and every one of them.
He loved his grandchildren and great-grandson so much. He was just so proud of them also. He looked forward to watching them grow into the strong, fabulous people they are and will be. He loved his grandson, and could not wait to have him participate in the trips to the Seahawk games. Jeff took pride in helping mold him and encourage him to become a helpful, strong, honest, successful and hardworking man.
He loved his granddaughter and was so excited to see her enter into adulthood, and parenthood with his new great-grandchild. He was so proud to see her overcome obstacles and improve herself and loved watching her be happy. The time the two of them spent with 4-H was great joy for him, and he was very happy with the way she handled things and her success.
Jeff loved his wife Misty so very much. There was never a day that he didn’t tell her so, or let her know. He was always reaching out for her, to touch her, whenever she walked by, always kissing and hugging each other before bed. The morning of his death, he sent her a text message that read, “Good Morning Beautiful”. They were soul mates who did absolutely everything together, from fun to work. You rarely saw one of them without the other.
They balanced each other. He was Misty’s best friend. He kept her calm by assuring her that things were going to be just fine, and to not worry so much over things. His love for Misty was real, and everyone could see and feel it.
Jeff had a special relationship with his mom and siblings. He called his mom every day to see how she was doing, and to just visit with her about his day. Jeff was best of friends with his siblings as children and that grew and continued into adulthood. It was a joy for him to be involved and included in all the steps of their lives as each of their families grew.
The friendship and love Jeff shared with his in-laws, Tommy and Jann Atkinson, and later Doris Peterson was very strong. They welcomed Jeff into their lives from the start, and loved him as their son. Jeff had the same strong love, and relationship with his sister and brother-in-law, Wendy and Kelly Dub as he did his siblings. He was their brother too. He was honored to be the uncle to their three children and loved each of them. It was a joy for him to see them each grow into successful adults.
Jeff had many friends, and something that was important to him, was to show everyone respect. He was a good friend and family man because of his ability to show everyone that he was good, kind, honest and helpful. That was what he wanted everyone to see and I believe this was accomplished in his life, that was stopped way too short.
Jeff was preceded in death by his sister Kari, his father Richard Midstokke, paternal and maternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and a nephew.
Jeff is survived by his mother Shirley Midstokke, his wife Misty Midstokke, his children Shan Avila, Brandon Midstokke, Dylan Midstokke (Samantha Swimley). His grandchildren Kayla Avila, Owen Avila, and his great-grandson Weston Smith. His siblings, Dan Midstokke (Robin), Chris Midstokke (Loree), Jennifer Midstokke, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Lodge at Rivers Edge in Orofino, Idaho on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. A gathering for family and friends will be immediately following the ceremony.
