Girdner, Claude H.

Claude H. Girdner, 84, of San Rafael Veracruz, Mexico 
died May 6, 2010 in the hospital with his wife, Maria 
Girdner, at his side. Service will be 3 p.m. April 16th at 
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend 
Rd., Boise, Idaho at the Columbarium Wall. Military 
honors will be preformed by the Navy. In Claude's 
memory donations can be sent to the Idaho Veterans 
Assistance League c/o Jack Fulfer, P.O. Box 455, 
Meridian, Idaho 83680. Reception following at a private 
residence, 9107 W. McMillian Rd., Nampa, ID. Claude was 
born April 18, 1925 in Buhl, Idaho to Frank B. Girdner 
and Cady Mae Girdner. The family moved to Boise where 
Claude attended Boise Junior and Boise High School. 
Claude and his two older brothers, Frank, and Charlie 
acquired jobs as caddies at the Plantation Golf Course 
where they considered it their "second home." Claude's 
golfing skills surpassed his brother and at the age of 16 
he won the Idaho State Junior Championship. He served 
in the Navy during WWII at the age of 17, along with his 
two brothers. The family was proud to have the banner 
hanging in the window with three stars representing three 
sons and brothers serving our country. The brothers 
returned from the war in 1947 along with his life long 
friends and teammates at Boise High, Dewey Weber, 
Frank Sanders, and Harry Kendell. Claude, Dewey, Frank 
and Harry and others enrolled at Boise Junior College 
and played football under the direction of Coach Lyle 
Smith. These old vets and childhood friends were quite a 
crew. They had a good team, and were known as "The 
Wild Bunch." Coach Smith had his hands full coaching 
this bunch. After graduating from Boise Junior College, 
Claude went to California to study to be a dental 
technician and met his wife, Juanita "Nikie" Girdner. They 
moved back to Boise where he found, owned and 
operated the Boise Dental Lab for 15 years. They raised 
three children together. In 1964, Claude joined his 
brother Paul, working at Southwest Hide and related 
companies. He worked and managed several branches in 
California, Idaho, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma. In 1988 
Claude retired and moved to San Rafael, Mexico with his 
wife Maria. They built a beautiful home on the ocean, in 
the northern rural area of Vera Cruz, and spent the last 22 
years relaxing and enjoying the beautiful environment. 
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, four 
brothers: George, Garland, Frank and Charlie, three sisters: 
Hallie, Oleta and Rita. He is survived by his wife, Marie; 
brother Paul Girdner, Boise, Idaho; son Randy and Nancy 
Girdner, Nampa, Idaho; daughter Diane and Kim Snyder, 
Palm Desert, Calif.; daughter Claudia and Jeff Morris, 
Caldwell, Idaho; two stepsons Yocundo Hernandez and 
Emilio Hernandez, Lulling, Texas; three grandchildren: 
Shannon and Randy Harris, Nampa, Idaho, Jacque and 
Missy Arnold, Los Angeles, Calif. and Moriah Snyder, 
Palm Desert, Calif.; eight great-grandchildren and one 
great-great-grandchild, along with many nieces and 
nephews.

Published in Idaho Statesman on April 11, 2010