Charles Elvin Schmelzer

Elvin left us to be with Betty on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 9:15 in the morning. He was surrounded by family.

Charles Elvin Schmelzer was born on July 3, 1930, in Boise, Idaho, to Lloyd Elvin Schmelzer and Lela Allebaugh Schmelzer. The only son of four children, Elvin grew up on a ranch on the bench overlooking the Boise River off Highway 20 in Meridian, Idaho. He went to school and played football first at Meridian Schools, then for a semester at University of Idaho.

He met the love of his life (Betty Lue Klugherz) on a blind date. They were married on March 11, 1951, and spent the next 69.5 years together until Betty’s death in 2020.

Elvin was a rancher, and ranching was what he loved. Driving Derrick for $1 a day was some of his earliest ranch work, along with driving cattle down Eagle Road and 5 Mile Road right through the area that is now Boise Airport, then on through Micron Technology and up along the Boise River through what is now Lucky Peak Reservoir. In 1963, he arrived at the place he loved most in the world: the Ola Ranch. The family had to build their own bridge to move in — the original had washed out earlier that year!

After handing over the reins of the ranch to their son, Lee, Elvin and Betty moved to Montour in the early ’90s, where they spent many happy years with family and friends. Eventually, they moved in with daughter Leta to Kuna, where she helped care for them. In 2018, they all moved to Florida together, and in 2019, Lee brought Elvin and Betty to Montana, where they both lived until their deaths.

Elvin spent time hunting and fishing, both early in his life and later with his family and friends, including a particularly eventful hunting trip in the Selway/Lochsa country, where the roads were extremely slick going downhill and Elvin had to get out and push the front end of the pickup around the corners!

During his downtime on the ranch and up until his very last day, Elvin was always creating unique, practical and beautiful items that he mostly gave away. He got a kick out of sharing his dry humor or a puzzle he made with everyone he met.

Elvin was a fiercely loved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor. He is survived by his children, Lee Schmelzer (Kerry), Sally Schmelzer; grandchildren Kalli Fuller (Sean), LJ Cox (Aneliya), Travis Cox (Meara), Emma Schmelzer, Gabe Nelson (Molly), Candy Mullinax (Eddie), and Dana Fuller (Joe). He also leaves behind his great-granddaughter Aurora Leta, along with numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and good friends.

Elvin was preceded in death by his wife Betty in 2020; his daughter Leta in 2019; his father Lloyd in 1985; his mother Lela in 1968; his sister JoAn in 2022; his sister Lela in 2013; his sister June in 1950; and several aunts, uncles and good friends.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Ola Church followed by lunch and gathering at the Ola Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Ola Ladies Club for victims of the Paddock Fire.