Albert Merle Schoelkoph, 76, of Grants Pass, Ore., died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, of Alzheimer’s at an adult care home in that city.

He was born June 13, 1927, in Ogema, Minn.

Bert and his wife Trudy came to Idyllwild in 1972 when he started his contracting business.

Mr. Schoelkoph was a member of the American Legion Post 800 in Idyllwild for 20 years.

After retiring, the Schoelkophs moved from their home in Garner Valley to Grants Pass where he built their second retirement home in 1996.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September.

Mr. Schoelkoph enjoyed wood working, building grandfather clocks, gardening and singing karaoke.

Along with his wife, Mr. Schoelkoph is survived by a son, Merle Schoelkoph of La Quinta; two daughters, Arlene Busher of Idyllwild and Karen Ortega of Santee; two brothers, William Schoelkoph of Boise, Idaho and Ervin Schoelkoph of Williston, N.D.; two sisters, Mary Schafbuch of Foley, Minn. and Ella Pack of Baltimore, Md.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oregon Trail Chapter, 2860 State St., Medford, Ore. 97504.