Dad was our North Star; our guiding light.

Samuel Richard Fleener, known as Sam, died January 24, 2014 at his home he build with his own hands. Sam was a third generation on a Whitman County Century Farm established in 1874.

Sam was born July 3rd, 1925 in Moscow Idaho, the son of S. Ansel Fleener and Dora Marian (Otter) Fleener. A third generation Whitman County farmer, he resided at the farm all his life with the exception of two years serving In the United States Navy in Hawthorne, Nevada during World War II. He was educated at the one-room Collins Schoolhouse and graduated from Moscow High School in 1944. After his time in the service, he started farming the family home place.

In 1949, Sam met the love of his life, Frances, over a slice of chocolate crème pie. They were married in June 11, 1951, and shared life for more than 54 years. They nurtured and raised five children, Jan, Mary, Frank, Chris and Jessika.

Sam's service to the community was vast. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church Pullman and a former member of St. Mary's Church in Moscow. A Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he served two years as Grand Knight. Sam was a member of the Parish Council, and a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed music, singing bass in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church's choir.

Sam was an exceptionally skilled wood worker. For Sacred Heart he built candlesticks, podiums, benches and cabinets. A beautiful processional cross was crafted from oak with a star garnet surrounded by petrified cedar sourced from Moscow Mountain.

His interests in agriculture reached world-wide. He felt it was his mission to feed the hungry, and the crops he grew impacted millions of people globally. Sam served in many agricultural leadership capacities. He was a member of the board of the multi-state North Pacific Grain Growers, which later became Harvest States; a board member of Inland Empire Pea Growers of Spokane; served twenty years on the Latah County Grain Growers board, five of those years as Chairman of the Board; was Vice President and in charge of recruiting for Whitman County Wheat Association; and was a member of Primeland, Genesee Union and Whitman County Growers. Sam participated in wheat research and was gracious to generations of academic and private researchers to advance agronomy and education. Sam was a member of Moscow and Whelan Granges, and was the Master of Moscow Grange for two years. Also a gifted gardener, he grew flowers and vegetables that he distributed to the community.

Sam also enjoyed being in the community, participating in the Latah and Whitman County Historical Societies and Washington State Historical Societies; was the camping chairman for Campfire, and a 4-H leader. He also was a member of Toastmasters where he crafted the trophies for competitions. He performed at cowboy poet gatherings, as a member of the Palouse Country Cowboy Poets Association.

Sam is survived by his children: Jan (Patrick) Scholl of State College, PA; Mary (Wayne) Klump of Snohomish, WA; Frank (Linda) Fleener of Pullman; Chris of Pullman, and Jessika of Vashon Island, WA; six grandchildren, Katey (Jason) Hinz, Nikki and Heidi Klump; Sam, Scott and Laura Fleener; and a great-grandchild Jaden Tanner. He has two surviving sisters, Jeanette Talbott and Glenda Hawley, both of Moscow; and a brother, Loyal Fleener of Troy.

Sam will be greeted by those who preceded him, his wife, Frances Josephine Trocinsky Fleener; parents, S. Ansel Fleener and Dora Marian (Otter) Fleener. brother John Fleener and sisters Bonnie French and Loree Scoggin.

Sam influenced touched many people's lives, including community leaders, academics, farmers, students, and historians. He loved people and tried to improve their lives. One example out of many, Sam saved the life of a lost, hypothermic cross-country skier who arrived at his doorstep after being guided by the multicolored star perched on top of Sam's grain elevator.

The family suggests memorials be given to the Whitman County Volunteer Fire Department #12, Gritman Medical Center's Cardiac Rehab Department or the Sacred Heart Catholic Church's Choir.

Viewing will be Monday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Kimball Funeral Home. The Rosary will be recited Monday at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00pm on Tuesday January 28, 2014 also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Vault interment with military honors will follow at the Moscow Cemetery.