The News-Examiner

Paul Kent Crane was born November 3, 1949 to Calvin and Dorothy Crane in Montpelier, Idaho. Kent grew up a farm boy in Bennington, Idaho and remained a farm boy for the rest of his life. He even started a small dairy with his brother as a teenager. In May 1968, he and his classmates were the first to graduate from Bear Lake High School. After high school, Kent attended Idaho State University where he graduated with an Associate's Degree in Civil Engineering. Kent married Elizabeth Anne Rowsell on September 5, 1970, whom he had known since 6th grade and they had 6 children. Kent always went by his middle name and he thought it was "cool" that his wife also went by her middle name. After...

Robert Allen Cory was born on July 26th, 1951, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Robert Louis Cory and Rhea Lee Dimond. After battling cancer for ten months, he passed away peacefully in his home on August 3rd at the age of 71. Robert grew up in Cokeville, and as a young boy, he helped out on his Grandpa Weldon Dimond's ranch and his Stepfather Wayne Larson's ranch. He graduated from High School in 1970 and then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Alabama-Florida mission. Robert could talk with anyone- when you heard him talking to a total stranger, you would think they knew each other. After serving his mission, he did a lot of skiing and was on the National...

Marj was born February 24, 1948 in Montpelier Idaho to Laurel and Norma Pugmire. The third of four children, and self proclaimed "favorite". She died at her home on July 27, 2022. She lived in St. Charles until 1955 when the family moved to Salt Lake City. She returned to the Bear Lake Valley following her sophomore year in high school and resided in Idaho for the rest of her life. Married John McCaskill in 1968. Had two perfect sons, David and Daniel, later divorced. Married Rick Hedstrom in 1992 and together lived in Inkom until her passing. Marj's Siblings, Kathryn (Baldwin) and Robert (Linda) Pugmire, learned early on who ran the show. Arguing with her meant losing the...

Dixie Reynolds a past resident of Montpelier of Thirteen years passed away in Copan, Oklahoma, where her oldest son Richard and family live, Monday July 25, 2022. She was 91. She is survived by Richard (Ann) Brower of Copan, Oklahoma, Bill (Carol) Brower of Wardboro, Idaho, Gail (Phil) Kruis of Eagle Point, Oregon, and Wade (Janette) Brower of Tracy City, Tennessee, Brother Dick of New Mexico. Also, sixteen grandchildren, nieces, nephews and stepfamily. She is proceeded in death by her husband Henry Reynolds, son Raymond and wife Diane Brower. Three grandchildren Jason Brower, Seth Heffron, and Daylon Sleight. Also, three sisters.

Karen Kaye Wuthrich "All that I am my mother made me." Karen departed this life of July 23, 2022, at Monte Vista Hills from complications of various health problems. She was born December 2, 1962, in Burley ID to Karl Samuel Wuthrich and Patrica Koeven Wuthrich, the youngest of four children. Karen graduated from Highland High School in 1980. Despite the difficulties she faced in life, Karen never lost her sense of humor and courage. Her passion was for her family, especially her daughter and grandsons. Karen loved to travel, spending time in California, Washington and Idaho. She enjoyed being with her family and spending time in the outdoors, camping, skiing and snowmobiling. Karen is...

Jean passed away peacefully in her home on July 17 2022. She was born to Hurcel and Bernice Bell of Sacramento California on May 25th 1944. Loving wife of 32 years to Ron Posell of Bern, Loving mother to John Young (Jac) Tim Young (Jennifer) Kim Johnson (Shannon) Loving Grandmother of 14, Great Grandmother of 11, and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Second child of 9 children. She retired from Bryers ice cream. Jean liked to camp, fish, read, watching General Hospital, and the ocean. Jean loved her pets, cooking, baking, and painting carousel horses.

Tonya Foss, 70, passed away Friday, July 15th, 2022 at the Madison Hospital after a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis. She was born March 10th, 1952, in Montpelier, Idaho to Kenneth Foss and Marian Lyon Foss, She was the oldest of four daughters. She grew up in Georgetown, attending elementary school there. She later attended Bear Lake High School in Montpelier, where she completed twelfth grade. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served an LDS Mission. She had a very strong testimony of her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ. As a little girl, Tonya and her three younger sisters grew up singing together in their ward...

Renee Crookston Spencer, 74, of Pocatello, Idaho, passed away July 11, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born August 27, 1947, in Logan, Utah to George Warren and Virginia (Sjoblom) Crookston. Renee graduated from Logan High School in 1965. She was married to Dennis Herbert Spencer in Logan, Utah from 1965-2007. They had seven children together. Renee enjoyed nature and the serenity which comes with being in the mountains. She adored spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her favorite activity with them was to have craft days and Grandma Camp. Planning parties and reunions for her family brought her the greatest joy and happiness. She...

Keneth Hyrum Budge, 91, of Pocatello, Idaho passed away June 29, 2022 in Pocatello. He was born 15 April, 1931 in Paris, Bear Lake, Idaho, the son of Wilford Woodruff Budge and Elizabeth Ada Foster. He was raised in Paris where he learned elements of farming and logging. He attended school in Paris at Emerson Grade School and Fielding High School. He moved with his family to Payette, Idaho in 1948 where he graduated from Payette High School in 1949. He served in the Air Force 1951-1952. He married Elaine Hymas 1 Feb. 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. He taught Math at Pocatello High School from 1960 until he retired in1993. He had the chess club in his classroom whenever available. He...

Conan Ray Lewis passed away on Sunday June 26, 2022 surrounded by family. He was born on June 10, 1948 in Soda Springs, Idaho to Neil and Ialeen Lewis. He was the 3rd child of eight. He had three brothers and four sisters, Russell Lewis, Reggie Lewis, Wade Lewis, Wendy Negus, Kathy Lewis, Debbie Hurren and Maryalene Hansen. He was raised in Nounan and Montpelier, Idaho on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work. Conan practiced this value throughout his life, even after retirement, and taught his children the importance of this trait. He was a life-long member of the LDS Church where he fulfilled many callings, but the one he most enjoyed was being a Boy Scout leader. ...

Don was born March 18, 1938 to Elmer and Helen Hennings on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Don had six sisters and two brothers. He was the fourth out of nine children. They had a very loving and active childhood. They lived in many places growing up, due to his father's road construction company. In the late forties Don and his family settled in Bear Lake County, ID. Where he then finished his education. He spent his days as a young man playing basketball, fishing, and chasing after his high school sweetheart Marie Black. Don and Marie got married while Marie was finishing school. They had a short weekend honeymoon in Salt Lake City. As soon as they got back, Don was deployed and...

Our beloved Becky A. Johnston, age 79, passed away peacefully in her home on June 21, 2022. Becky was born on April 24, 1943, in Montpelier, Idaho to Elmer and Janice Williams. Becky moved with her family to Manti, Utah and later to West Valley City, Utah where she met and married her best friend Donald E. Johnston. Becky's family was an important part of her life and she enjoyed spending time with them. Becky spent much of her life in Utah. After her husband Don passed away, she moved to Idaho to spend more time with her brothers and sisters. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles with her nephew Kenny and enjoyed watching sports on TV. She was a dedicated Boise State fan. Becky never skipped...

Our dear sister, mom, grandmother, and great grandmother has gone to meet her beloved Lord Jesus on June 21, 2022. Susan Elizabeth Smith was born to Galen H. and Elnora R. Smith in Pocatello, Idaho on December 8, 1951. She lived in Pocatello, Idaho in a wonderful environment outside of town near a river, which she used to love to watch and play by with her family's border collie. Her parents ran a restaurant by the old airport across from FMC. She spent many hours in the back room coloring and being watched over by her two older sisters. After a few short years, the family moved to Montpelier, ID, where her father had procured a position with Central Farmers in Georgetown. Sue grew up in...

Elene Clara Orr Monroe, 73, of Bulhl Idaho, passed away at home on June 19, 2022. She was born on April 20,1949 in Montpelier Idaho, to Vyrin King Orr and Dora Josephine Lewis Orr. In 1967, she married Terry Humpherys and together they had 4 children; Todd, Jeff, Michelle and Jeremy. Wayne and Wendy were born in 1982, and later adopted by her husband Steve Neslen. She then married the love of her life Nelson (Harpo) Monroe on October 18, 2013. They shared a love of travel and many motorcycle adventures. At a young age Elly loved playing the piano. In High School she was active in the drill team, where she was named Pep Club Drill Royalty. Later in her life she enjoyed playing softball...

Amasa McKay Rich, or Kay since he never cared that much for his given name, passed away on June 15, 2022. The cause of death was a stroke and his age. Kay was born October 29, 1925 in Paris, Idaho to Daniel C. Rich and Annie Stucki Rich, one of ten children. Kay grew up in the Bear Lake Valley working on the family farm, attending school, and developing an abiding affection for his place of birth. In January of 1944, Kay enlisted in the Army Air Force. On August 5, 1944, to the consternation of parents, Kay convinced Thelma Poulsen, his high school sweetheart, to elope with him while he was on leave. Alas, the local newspaper published the nuptials and the secret was out before the newly...

Delbert W. Marx, age 84 passed away on June 8, 2022 in Montpelier Idaho with his daughter Jaci by his side. He was born January 10, 1938 in Montpelier, to Willy Arno Marx and Hulda M. Widmer Marx. Delbert grew up in Geneva, Idaho and was raised on the family farm. He also attended school there. He was the youngest of five children, (brothers) Grant, Clyde, Earl, and Clara (sister) (all now deceased). Delbert graduated high school in Montpelier, then joined the army like his two older brothers, by the time he got through basic training the war was over and he never got to go overseas, he stayed in the army five years then switched to the National Guard. It was during this time he met...

Marina Louise Sparks passed away surrounded by her loving family on June 5th in Montpelier Idaho Bear Lake Memorial Skilled Nursing facility. She had just had her 96th birthday. Marina was born at home in Green River Wyoming April 13th, 1926 to Porfira and Santos Nunez. She attended and graduated high school in Green River Wyoming in 1945. During her school years she helped take care of her 4 siblings, as she was the oldest of 5 children. In 1946 she married Solomon Martinez and to this union her first beautiful baby girl was born, Frances Jo Martinez, they were later divorced. In 1959 Marina married the love of her life, Donal Pugmire, A year later they welcomed another beautiful...

Kay Darrell (K. D.) Smith passed away peacefully after a long and full life on May 23, 2022. Kay was born June 26, 1935 in Fish Haven (Bear Lake), Idaho to Rosella Calder Smith and Elmer Hyrum Smith. Kay and his twin brother Kent were a great surprise to the whole town, but a welcome one. He loved growing up in the Bear Lake Valley. Kay attended Utah State University where he graduated with a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering. He met Jacqueline Nielsen at Utah State. They were married on November 26, 1958 in the Logan Utah Temple. Kay always counted his greatest accomplishments as convincing Jaci to marry him and raising four wonderful children with Jaci: Craig, Kevin,...

Barbara Ann Jensen Pike passed away peacefully on May 18th, 2022 at Cache Valley Assisted Living in Providence, Utah. Barbara was born July 18th, 1938 in Montpelier, ID to Clifford Ray Jensen and Alice Caroline Gardner Jensen. Mom attended school in Montpelier, ID. She lived a few other places in her life including Las Vegas, NV and Evanston, WY, but her heart was in Bear Lake. Mom had 6 children she either gave birth to or claimed as her own. Robert (Kris) Cole, Brenda (Raymond) Fiske, Rebecca/Beki (Scott) Williams, Beverly Christiansen, Leslie (Brian) Nate and Wyatt Smith. In her lifetime, mom worked many different jobs including beautician, waitressing, cleaning, playing the...

Trudy H. Potter, 87, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 16, 2022, in Idaho Falls with her family at her side. Trudy was born August 20, 1934, in Saint Anthony, Idaho, to Irus Benjamin Hammond and Lila Nancy Call Hammond. She graduated from South Fremont High School. She also attended Ricks College and Utah State University. On June 17, 1955, she married Gary Dean Potter in the Idaho Falls Temple. Trudy and Gary moved their family to many places around the Western United States where Trudy worked as an elementary teacher and found her love for teaching kindergarten. Trudy and Gary finally moved their family to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Trudy pursued her love of education and purchased Little...

Richard C. Hobson was born on June 30, 1942 to George T. Hobson and Gladys Avery Hobson in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. He was raised on the ranch alongside his 4 siblings just outside of Lava Hot Springs on Dempsey Creek. As a child and young man he enjoyed the simple life, working and playing alongside his folks and siblings on their ranch. He graduated from Marsh Valley High School in 1960 even though he failed his choir class for refusing to utter a sound or move his lips. Richard met The Love of His Life Mary in 1975 and they have now been married for 46 years. In his earlier years he was married to Joy Hobson and they had 4 children together creating he and Mary's family of 10 children. ...