Dave Badten

David "Buzz" Douglas Badten, 85, passed away March 10, 2014 at his home in Pocatello. Dave was born the sixth of seven children in Sheridan, Wyoming to Phoebe and Ed Badten. The family moved to Butte, Montana when he was very young. His parents divorced, and at a very young age, he started working to help support his mother and siblings. As a young adult he began working in the mines in Butte, MT, and decided he had a better chance of survival if he joined the service. So, in 1951, he joined the U. S. Army and later received an honorable discharge. He moved to Pocatello with five children in 1962, with a sixth child being born there. His first marriage ended in divorce. On July 6, 1973, he married the love of his life, Karen Thurman, and four more children were joined into the family. He was employed at Trophy Homes working his way up to General Manager with Boise Homes. The Pocatello plant was the only profitable plant in the region for many years. He was well respected and known to be a humble, caring man of phenomenal integrity, honesty and truthfulness. As the company was closing all of their plants, he saw this as an opportunity to purchase the plant and with his dreams and strong determination, he saved hundreds of local jobs. The plant flourished under their ownership known as R-Homes, Inc. For the next 40 years, Karen and Dave worked side by side. They traveled to Mexico, Spain, Africa, and Hawaii, and really enjoyed many trips to Jackpot and especially Laughlin, NV. It's a love story many only dream of. They also built a cabin at Henry's Lake and for many years enjoyed the scenic beauty, fishing, and special time with family and friends. One of the last projects that Dave was very proud of, and he expressed over many years, was the construction of Colonial Funeral Home. Dave enjoyed drawing, fishing, playing music, cards, football, puzzles, and spending time with his true love, Karen. Dave's legacy is not only his gifts he shared with all of us kids, but the life lessons, council, and advice he instilled in all of us to be good people. The dirt poor boy from Butte, Mt. made an indelible mark in the lives of so many people. We are so proud of you, husband and father, and we will miss you terribly. He is survived by his loving wife Karen of 40 years, his children, Vicki (Guy) Packer, Emmett, Id, Dave (Becky) Badten, Keene, NH, Linette (Jeff) Joyner, Hailey, ID, Susan Mowers, Pocatello, ID, Michael (Tia) Marlow, West Valley, UT, John Badten, Nampa, ID, Tammy Marlow ( Cindy Grupe), Sioux Falls, SD, Todd Marlow, Pocatello, ID, and Kerena Bailey, Pocatello, ID. Dave is survived by 18 Grandchildren, 8 Great-Grandchildren, and 1 Great-Great-Grandchild. Dave is also survived by his beloved pets, Jackson, Paco and Missy. Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Phoebe Badten, siblings; Bud, Catherine, Dorothy, Doris, Jean, Joe, and a son Michael Fitze. A funeral service for Dave will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11 AM with Military Honors following at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello 208-233-1500. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 6-8 PM at the funeral home and also for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com