Theodore D. Schuster

Theodore D. Schuster, known by most as Ted, passed away on February 7, 2024, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, leaving behind his legacy rooted in the St. John, Wash., community. Born on August 6, 1937, to Robert and Alma (Schierman) Schuster, Ted's heart belonged to the family farm from infancy. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Shearer), daughter "Teddi" Armstrong, step-daughters, Cindy Milton and Tammy Schneider; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren (one of which was named after Ted); and his siblings Robert and Eric Schuster, and Ellen Bryan.

After graduating high school in 1955, Ted went to college at EWU for two quarters and majored in playing poker before his mom told him he might as well come back home, which he did an hour later. Once he was on the farm again, he spent most of his time working on the farms of friends & relatives. He was drafted into the Army, Aug. 1, 1961, where he served for two years with distinction as a skilled sharpshooter and M.P., and thoroughly enjoyed taking wild rides in military jeeps (unobserved by his officers). Upon returning home, he embarked on a new chapter as a long-haul truck driver.

Ted married Ann in 1969 and took over the farm. When he wasn't farming in the wheat, barley, lentils or pea fields, he nurtured his small herd of cows, and later expanded into raising sheep. His love of all animals was very evident when most of both his cow & sheep herds were more like pets, as were every horse he owned & broke. He was also always accompanied by his loyal dogs, Duke, Festus, or Snuffy, who was seen "driving" the 1940 Chevy pickup while Ted fed the herd of cows from the pickup bed.

Retirement took Ted to build a new home on the Pend Oreille River near Sandpoint, Idaho, where much of his time was spent with his guns & tractor projects. He was a lifelong avid collector of guns and later became a member of a black powder club, where he could still shoot a playing card in half with a single shot in his upper 70s. He also joined an antique tractor club, indulging his passion for restoring old tractors to their former glory.

Ted's legacy extends beyond the fields and critters he tended. Anybody who knew him won't forget his bright eyes, deep dimples, and contagious laugh. His presence will be deeply missed.

A reception will be held to honor his memory on February 24th, 2024, at Kenova Grange in Pine City, WA, between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. In accordance with his wishes, Ted's ashes will be scattered at the family farm, a testament to his enduring connection to the land he cherished.