Obituary of Merlin JB Wald

Merlin J. B. “Boots” Wald (88) passed away Friday June 4, 2021 in a Boise Memory Care Center surrounded by his family.  

He was born in Strasburg, ND on December 20, 1932 to Ignatius “Scotty” and Lillian Wald.   Upon graduating from St Mary’s High School, he attended St John’s University in Collegeville, MN until drafted by the US Army in 1954.

After leaving the military, Boots began working for Albertsons, Inc. in Spokane, WA.  He transferred to Beaverton, OR in 1965 as Produce Manager.  Boots and his first wife adopted daughter Kelly in 1965 and then son Charles in 1966 while residing in Oregon.

In 1967 he was transferred to Boise, ID where he was promoted to Produce and Deli Merchandiser Idaho Division.  He married Irene Boldon on October 27, 1973 and gained 3 adult daughters; Laurel, Patty and Tracey, thus becoming an instant grandpa, and he loved every moment of it.

As Albertsons expanded, he began to focus solely on produce.  He started the first floral department at the 16^th and State store.   He retired from Albertsons in 1992 after 35 years of faithful service.  One of his greatest joys was an annual Christmas phone call from Joe Albertsons.

Boots was passionate about fishing, fishing and fishing.  He and Irene often travelled which enabled him to fish in nearly every part of the world.  He was so thrilled when he landed a 12’12’’ 660 lb. Blue Marlin in Kona, HI and held the record for a couple years.  You can be sure he took that photo with him everywhere he went because as fishing stories go, this fish was really THAT big.

Boots was very faithful within his church.  Some say he is credited with making Risen Christ Catholic Church grow to where it is today.  He also participated in many Knights of the Columbus.

He was a huge sports fan, specifically following Boise State Broncos, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the NY Yankees and Pittsburg Steelers.  He would watch any sports and loved playing tennis when in Mexico.

Boots was well known for his philanthropy.  He was the first to volunteer to help people.  He was generous with his time and money. 

He loved his family and friends.  He was known and loved by people in several countries, he never met a stranger.  Boots always made a lasting impression.

He was preceded in death by wife Irene Wald; his brothers Ron “Spike” Wald; Fr. Kenneth Wald; his sister Margaret Koch; his daughter Laurel Prophet and 2 grandsons David Earles and Ryan Prophet.

Boots was survived by sisters Sharon (Jack) Pagasky of PA; Carol (Dave) Kramer of ND; his daughters Patty Chandler, Tracey (Cal) Dillabaugh, Kelly Irving and son Charles Wald of Boise.  He has many grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren.

The funeral, directed by Accent Funeral Home and Cremation will be held at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Boise on Monday June 14, 2021 at 11:00 am.  He will be buried in Douglas, ND with the Wald family.  It was his favorite place on earth.

If choosing to honor Boots, consider the life he led…choose to show love to someone today!