Moana Boyle
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Moana Korth Boyle, 85, passed away July 28, 2022, in Twin Falls, Idaho due to complications from cancer.
Moana was born April 19, 1937, in Brigham City, Utah to Elvan George Korth and Elva Lucille Baird as the first of four children. Moana lived most of her adult life in Rexburg, Idaho, having graduated from Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah and Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Throughout Moana's life, she exemplified tenacity, patience, and kindness. None of her children can remember her saying an unkind word.
While at USU, Moana married Frank White Young in 1958 with whom she had one child, Erik. They divorced shortly after Erik was born, and during her time as a single-parent, Moana completed a Master's Degree in English, taught three years at the LDS Church School in New Zealand, and ultimately joined the English faculty of Ricks College in 1964.
Several years later, friends introduced her to another single parent, Nile Boyle, who became the love of her life. In 1974, they were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Moana and Nile blended their families by integrating Erik with Nile's children, Julie, Paul, Sandra, Jana, and Craig, and later adding Marci and Scott. Moana focused on this new family before returning to teach at Ricks College in 1984. Throughout her life, she enjoyed attending cultural events and cherished family gatherings with her eight children and twenty-one grandchildren.
Yellowstone had been an annual destination for Moana's mother and siblings; this tradition continued throughout her life with her children and grandchildren. No Yellowstone trip was complete without seeing the view from Artist's Point and having a picnic. Other favorite travel locations for Moana were Greece, Walden Pond, and Stratford-upon-Avon; these, she said, were extra-special because she taught about them for so many years.
Moana's life outside of the home is best characterized by a love for learning and service to others. She was an excellent student, being selected as Utah's representative for a national debate competition in Chicago and attending USU on a scholarship. Throughout her 30-plus year teaching career at Ricks College, she loved the classroom interactions with more than 5,000 students as she taught composition, literature, drama, and, especially, Shakespeare. She thrived on engaging with her colleagues on annual pilgrimages to the Utah Shakespeare Festival and various committees including the Ricks College Faculty Association, where she represented the Humanities Division and served as Vice President the last 2 years of her career.
In addition to her service to Ricks College, Moana made time to serve the community. She was elected to the Madison School Board (1983 - 1989) and the Idaho State Humanities Council (1992 - 1996) where she was focused on ensuring all children received an education that included access to the humanities. As a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was dedicated to her faith and served in numerous callings. After retirement, Moana and Nile served many years as temple ordinance workers in both the Idaho Falls and Rexburg LDS Temples and from 1998 to 2000 as Welfare Missionaries in the South Pacific Area, which allowed her to return to New Zealand.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Nile, her brother, Vaughn, and her oldest daughter, Julie.
She is survived by her brother, Gary, and sister, JoAnn; her remaining seven children; grandchildren, Matt, Ryan, Jenna, Natalie, Tanya, Jacob, Jared, Brandon, Conner, Mikelle, Seleste, Garrett, Macie, Hadlee, Ash, Sydney, Jack, Claire, Cooper, Jane, and Jill; and great-grandchildren, Brynn, Emersen, Hemming, Jack, and Reese.
A public viewing will be held August 4, 2022, from 5:30 to 7 PM at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. Funeral services will be held August 5, 2022, at 11 AM with visitation from 10-10:45 AM in the LDS Chapel, 700 Park Street, Rexburg, ID.