14 September 2014

A quick update of items in the last letter:
 My friend Bobbe's Dad, passed away just a few days after going to the nursing home. Another dear friend from school, Lorna Harrop Barney, lost her mother-in-law, Sheila Barney last week.

Our friend Burt Bates is still alive, but the insurance company is denying coverage because his blood alcohol level was very high when he wrecked on the four wheeler; so we don't know if he'll be able to get a trach and receive rehab therapy or not.

Grandpa came home on Monday, mostly because his Medicare coverage at the nursing home had run out, and he really wanted to come home anyway. He seems about the same, gets up to the bathroom a few times a day, but mostly stays in the recliner. His double cousin, Eugene, passed away, and his funeral is on Tuesday. He wants to go very badly, but I'm not sure how it can happen. It was all Dad and Beth could do to get him into the house when he came home.

We got to go to Denver for Bradley's baptism, over Labor Day weekend. It was so wonderful to spend time with Ben's and Sam's families. I even got to spend almost an hour with Joseph, building with Legos. That might not sound like a big deal...but spending one on one time with any of the grandkids is something I almost never get to do.

On the way home on Monday, Dad and I stopped to visit with Ross and Lynette Reed in Orem. We visited at their home for a while and then took them to lunch. Ross had a scare with bladder cancer and a complicated surgery which he almost didn't recover from. But he is okay now...back to teaching/coaching, and they seemed glad we had stopped.

Just before we got to their house, Dad got a call from dispatch letting him know that Jana Poulsen had passed away suddenly; she was 59. I got to stop by the house the next afternoon and visit with Tiffany's husband, Brett. He said it was very sudden, although Jana hadn't felt well in a long time, mostly due to her weight, I'm sure.

The next weekend, I got to go to Dixie's and Zach's house for a couple of days. Dix is having trouble with way to early labor. The kids are really good about reminding her that she should be resting. Zach had to be out of town,  and so I didn't get to see him much at all.

Now this weekend, Dad is at Aimee's and James' house, and then has meetings in Moscow for the next few days. There will be a big banquet on Tuesday night, and Aimee will be his date for that. I hope we'll have pictures to share in the next email.

Last night Gran and Grandma, went with me to the evening Stake Conference, and we sat with Janie and Uncle Jim. A couple spoke, who came here from American Samoa. She was a member, and he was not, when they came. She thought she had applied to BYU, but when she got her acceptance, realized that they would be moving to Idaho. They ended up getting an apartment in St. Anthony, and live in Second Ward! They came here last August, and he was just baptized two months ago; but Janie says he has born his testimony almost every month since they came. He told of how his Methodist father, said to him as they said goodbye at the airport, "Son, go and find your faith." He had felt lost for quite some time, and had resisted his wife's invitations to church for many years.

This morning, Grandma and I went together to Stake Conference. Uncle Jim sang in the mens choir...they were amazing!  They were led by Matt Bennett, and accompanied by Mark Seare. (that is for Heidi and Dixie) Another couple spoke; it was Bart and Andi Quayle. He is one of Dad's detectives, and a kind of co-chief deputy too. Andi told how they met in high school, married and had two great kids, but that after 13 years since they met...something was missing. They came back into full church activity, and went to the Temple just a few months ago. Bart bore a strong testimony...it was great!

Janie is having her hysterectomy on Tuesday...don't know yet what time, but I'll keep you posted. I know you'll keep her and her doctors/nurses etc...in your prayers. 

Sorry, this was a long one!  Love you all so much! Mom/Johanna

Eugene Humphries

1927 - 2014 | Obituary |  Condolences

Eugene Humphries, 87, of Shelley, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

He was born at home on the family farm in Woodville, Idaho, on March 13, 1927, to Harold Humphries and Ora May Chaffin Humphries. Eugene worked hard as a boy, helping his parents and older siblings with the farm work, which was all done by hand or with horses. With the exception of his service in the military, he spent his entire life in Woodville.

He began his education at the old Taysom School in Woodville where he first met Colleen Rogers who would later become his wife. He then attended Shelley High School where he excelled in football and was a champion boxer. Years later he met a former opponent who exclaimed "I have never been hit so hard in my entire life."

With World War II still raging, he received his draft notice while still in high school and reported for duty in the Army just two days after graduation. He was assigned to an outpost on Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska. He served at the same time as his three brothers who were in the Army, Army Air Corps, and the Navy.

He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946 and returned home with a desire to engage in farming with his father and brothers. There was a shortage of tractors and farm machinery following the war and equipment was rationed, but because of his status as a veteran, he was allowed to purchase a new Oliver 60 tractor for $1400 and his farming career began.

It was at this time that he renewed his acquaintance with the pretty dark haired girl that he had met in grade school many years earlier. The relationship blossomed and on May 28, 1948, he and Colleen Rogers were married. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 28, 1955. He farmed with his brothers until he was able to purchase his own farm on the bank of the Snake River in 1952. He remodeled and expanded the old lava rock house and it continues to serve as the family home to this present day.

Eugene worked in potato warehouses in the winter to supplement the meager income from the farm and later took a full time job at Idaho Wholesale Grocery in Idaho Falls in addition to running the farm. In 1959 he went to work for the R.T. French Company in Shelley in the maintenance department, which began a 25 year career with the company. He was soon promoted to a management position and over the years, he supervised the warehouse, packaging, production and receiving. He retired in 1985 and went to work for the Miller Honey Company of California as a consultant for a short time.

He was very civic-minded and served as a trustee on the Shelley School Board, as a director and secretary of the Woodville Canal Company, and as president of the R.T. French Federal Credit Union. He and his wife also served as members of the Shelley QRU and as volunteers at the Shelley Senior Center. In 1989, he spearheaded a citizens' committee called "Save our Snake," which was instrumental in preventing the development of a hydro dam on the Snake River near his home. He wanted to protect the environmental integrity of the river he loved so much. He was a true patriot, proud of his military service, and never passed our nation's flag without a crisp salute.

Eugene was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as an MIA President, Sunday School Superintendent, Scouting Chairman, and as a counselor in two bishoprics in the Woodville Ward. He also served as a Stake Missionary and in 1986 he and his wife served a mission in the Washington D.C. South Mission. Most recently, he enjoyed serving as an officiator in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Eugene was a skilled welder and enjoyed metal fabrication, especially if it involved helping someone with a repair or a needed project. His most enjoyable moments were when he could be in the service of others and especially those with great need. Family gatherings were his favorite activity and he always had a sincere compliment for each person in attendance. He exemplified true charity and his service will long be remembered and cherished by his many friends and family.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Colleen of Woodville; and his children, Annette (Leon) Clark of Rigby, Jeana (Robin) Cutts of Winnipeg, Canada, Kevin (Marlynn) Humphries of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., Bret (Cari) Humphries of Austin, Texas, and Sheree' (Diane) Humphries of Minneapolis, Minn.; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and sister, Joan (Ted) Hodapp of Manti, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Leora Humphreys; and brothers, Wayne, Wendell and Eldon Humphries.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Woodville Chapel, 1555 N. 700 East. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Tuesday prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93 of Shelley.