Archived Marriage Records
Robert Smith
Robert Smith, 90, a longtime resident of the St. Anthony area, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2007, in the Rexburg Nursing Center from conditions related to age. Many area residents will remember him as being a friendly greeter at Wal-mart.
He was born June 23, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Jonathan Woodford and Mildred Teresa Smith. He attended school in Pattonsburg, Mo., and Des Moines, Iowa.
On Oct. 29, 1940, he married Donna Molyneux Clark in the Cardston, Alberta, Canada LDS Temple. He was preceded in death by his wife (May 10, 1980) and youngest daughter, Linda (Feb. 10, 2002).
He enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a B-29 mechanic on the island of Saipan during World War II, obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed as manager at the St. Anthony Branch of First Security Bank for 35 years and served the community as a city councilman.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions, including Bishop and Stake President. He was a member of several civic organizations and served on the board of directors for many charitable organizations, including The Salvation Army. He was active in local and state politics, acting as Fremont County Campaign manager for many governors and state senators. He came out of retirement in 1992 to become the first People Greeter at the Rexburg Wal-Mart. He retired a second time at the age of 89, in February 2006.
Survivors include his sons, E. Danny (Linda) Smith of North Ogden, Utah, and Robert L. (Cara) Smith of Rigby; daughter, Virginia J. (Robert) Ziel of Rigby; sister, Virginia Stoner of Colorado; 18 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the St. Anthony LDS Stake Center, with Bishop Rick Hill officiating. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday and for one hour Monday before services, both at the church. Burial will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery
under the direction of Bidwell Funeral Home of St. Anthony.
Leona B. McMurtrey
CHESTER -- Leona Bertha McMurtrey, 79, of Chester, died Feb. 26, 2007, at her home.
She was born Jan. 27, 1928, in Milo, Idaho, to Charles Harrison Allen and Bertha Marie Lewis Allen. She grew up and attended schools in Clark and attended Rigby High School.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She belonged to the Rigby Chapter of the Eagles Lodge and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Posse. Leona enjoyed camping, fishing, cooking and getting together with family.
Survivors include her husband, James David McMurtrey of Chester; children, Audrey Henry of Archer, Jill Wooten of St. Anthony, Dana (Steve) Neville of Ririe, Stephanie (Keith) Graham of Chester, Carolyn (Jay) Parke of Lewisville, Turk (Trudi) McMurtrey of St. Anthony, Joe (Ann Marie) McMurtrey of Idaho Falls and Sid (Catherine) McMurtrey of Ririe; siblings, Wanda Caldwell of Island Park, Gail Herbst of Medford, Ore., and Jerry (Donna) Allen of Missoula, Mont.; 27 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Phillip Alan McMurtrey.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 2, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and for one hour Friday before services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.
Ruth Peck, St. Anthony
ST. ANTHONY -- Ruth Cordon Peck, 89, of St. Anthony, died March 9, 2007, at her home from complications due to a stroke.
She was born Sept. 13, 1917, in Rigby, Idaho, to Omer Samuel Cordon and Ruth Chandler Cordon. She grew up and attended schools in the Rigby area, graduating from Rigby High School.
On Sept. 19, 1938, she married Leonard Junior Peck in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They lived in Rigby until l950 when they moved to St. Anthony. He died Feb. 5, 1986.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as president of several organizations. She and her husband served an LDS Mission to the Columbus, Ohio, Mission, and she was an Idaho Falls LDS Temple worker. Ruth was an avid temple attendee, and she will especially be remembered for being the ward organist for many years.
Survivors include her children, William O. "Bill" (Marnie) Peck of Frankfurt, Germany, Robert L. (Merlana) Peck of St. Anthony, Gregory C. (Michele) Peck of Ucon, Douglas C. (Darla) Peck of Idaho Falls, Marilyn (John) Rumsey of Egin and Jackie (Gail) Blanchard of Chester; 29 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; four brothers; and two sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, at the St. Anthony LDS 3rd Ward, with Bishop Chance Eckman officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bidwell Funeral Home, 555 N. Yellowstone Highway in St. Anthony, and for one hour Monday before services at the church. Burial will be in Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.
Ila Jeanne Rasmussen
Ila Jeanne Rasmussen, Island Park, Idaho, died Sunday, March 4, 2007.
Her memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 455 E. Highway, St. Anthony.
She was born December 11, 1925, in Springville, Utah, where she was raised, went to school and married Oran Kay Rasmussen in 1943. Through the first few years of their married life, they spent the time divided among Island Park, Provo, Utah, and Butte, Montana. For the last 51 years, she has had a permanent residence in Island Park. She has been an active member of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1942.
She is predeceased by her husband, Oran K. Rasmussen; and two sons, Daniel Lee Rasmussen and Aaron Kelly Rasmussen.
She is survived by three children, John K. Rasmussen of Preston, Micheal Lynn Rasmussen of Ashton, and Sally Fangsrud of Battle Ground, Washington; along with three sisters, Merlene Davis, Carma Fabert and Colette Capson, all residing in Salt Lake City. Also surviving her are nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Their home surrounding Henry's Lake Outlet has been in the family since 1925 and has been a favorite gathering place of family and friends. She will be missed by a large spiritual and physical family who enjoyed life with her.
Gary Van Wilkins, Island Park
Gary Van Wilkins, 54, died Thursday evening, March 29, 2007, at his home in Island Park from an apparent heart attack.
Gary was born on September 26, 1952, in Blackfoot, to Howard and Donna Harman Wilkins. He attended schools in Pocatello and graduated from Highland High School in 1971.
He married Sherri Jensen on May 20, 1972 at Pocatello, and she preceded him in death on April 25, 2006. They owned and operated G. & S. Auto Transport for many years. For the past three years, Gary had worked for the Idaho Department of Transportation in Island Park.
He enjoyed working, camping, fishing, and all outdoor activities. Gary especially loved and enjoyed his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This past year, he had served as president of the Cowan Estates Subdivision in Island Park, where he lived. He had also served as secretary and as vice-president of that same organization.
He is survived by two sons, Casey (Amanda) Wilkins, and Billy Wilkins of Pocatello; a daughter, Stacia Wilkins, also of Pocatello; two grandchildren, Seth and Abbey; three brothers, E. (Butch) Wilkins, Weiser; Steven H. Wilkins, Star; and Kurt L. Wilkins, Pocatello.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p. m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Cornelison - Henderson Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. There will also be a gathering of family and friends from noon to 3 p. m. for a potluck luncheon on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at the family home on Cemetery
Road, Fort Hall.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison-Henderson Funeral Home in Pocatello.
William K. Frome
Son of namesake of county park on Henry's Lake dies
William K. "K" Frome, 81, of St. Anthony, Idaho, left for greener golf courses Tuesday, April 17, 2007.
K was born June 28, 1925, in Afton, Wyo., to William M. and Erma K. Frome. He had an adventurous life in Afton and Jackson Hole growing up.
While in high school he and five friends took a toboggan off the top of the old Jackson Hole Pass--they made the first two turns but all ended up with broken bones!
After graduating from Afton High School he joined the Air Force Student Training Program flying aircraft. He was stationed at Hill and Lowry Air Force Bases training on an AT-6 trainer and loved to fly the small aircrafts.
In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II until 1946 when he was honorably discharged. While in the service he was proud to serve in an honor guard escorting soldiers home for funerals.
One of his favorite jobs after his military service was working in the jump training program for the Forest Service and living alone at fire lookout stations.
While attending college K met Faye Clark, and they were married on Dec. 20, 1947.
K graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He owned Frome Motors Ford Dealership in St. Anthony from 1950 to 1978. He was a respected and honest businessman in the upper Snake River Valley who had immense fondness for his staff at Frome Motors.
K was not quite ready for retirement, so he sent to work for the Targhee National Forest, serving in various positions until 1989, when he completely retired to emulate Arnold Palmer's golf swing!
K was an astute businessman, serving as president of the St. Anthony Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Upper Valley Chamber of Commerce, Fremont County Sportsman Association, Fremont County Golf Association and the St. Anthony Development Corporation. He was a board member of the National Dealer Council, Idaho Auto Dealers Association, Salt Lake Ford Dealers Advertising Association and Fremont General Hospital.
K was a commander of the 116th Medical Detachment of the Idaho National Guard and American Legion Post #22. He served as an officer in the National Guard and Military Reserve. He respected the right to vote as a proud privilege.
K was a member of the Elks Lodge #1087, where he and Faye would go for dinner and an evening of dancing--his daughters remember him trying to teach them how to jitterbug around a dance floor.
K was chairman of the Fremont County Republican Party and instrumental in the creation and implementation of the St. Anthony Fisherman's Breakfast. He served four years on the St. Anthony City Council and Library Board. K was a member of the National Ski Patrol for many years and taught his young daughters his beautiful stem Christie art of skiing.
He was a very enthusiastic outdoorsman who respected the beauty of Fremont County and Island Park--skiing, hunting, fishing Henry's, snowmobiling with his buddies on Two Top, boating on Island Park Reservoir and golfing with Faye were his favorite things.
K and Faye traveled to visit their daughters and grandkids, trying out different golf courses, touring foreign countries and nesting in Arizona City during the winter months.
K was preceded in death by his parents and sister Janiece Hill, of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
K is survived by his wife of 59 years and Bridge partner, Faye; his three daughters and sons-in-law: Joy and Jan Staker of Bozeman, Fawn Walker and Ric Ricci of Quaker Hill, Conn., and Holly and Curtis Peckham of Pocatello, Idaho. He leaves five grandchildren who were so fortunate to have been blessed with such a marvelous grandpa: Gretchen and Todd Romilly of Norwich, Conn., Jan-Michael Walker of Quaker Hill, Conn., Erik Wilson of Pocatello, Megan Staker of Missoula, Amy Wilson of Portland, Ore., and numerous nieces and nephews.
He loved his family so much and showed it in his own unique way, still insisting on fuelling their gas tanks when they came to visit.
He was a very caring husband, father and grandfather, a big tease and a very determined man. He was a quiet leader, teacher and friend to all. Dad was a voracious reader, loved to dance and sing to his girls and made sure everyone was having a grand time.
K wanted no service, but a gathering for the celebration of his life will be held in June.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.
