Juan Irigoyen

JACKSON, IDAHO – Juan Irigoyen, 94, passed away August 28, 2026, in Jackson, Idaho, surrounded by his family.

Juan was born October 17, 1931, in Ciga, Spain, to Jose Lorenzo and Maria Aleman Amdrana Irigoyen. He had four brothers and two sisters and was the last remaining member of his family. Because of the social and economic conditions in Spain at this time, Juan’s highest level of education was fifth grade, but he never let that stop him from achieving anything he put his mind to. In his early teens, because of the outcome of the Civil War in Spain and the Regime of Franco, he was bootlegging banned items from France. He and his companions would walk all night through the mountains with backpacks and cross the border into France to get their supplies and bring them into Spain.

In 1951 he heard they were looking for sheepherders in America and decided to take a leap of faith. Juan and a cousin, Augustine, left Spain and their families at the age of 19 and headed to America on a grand adventure – not speaking a word of the language but knowing this was a future for them. By the time Juan was able to return to Spain he was in his 50s and most members of his family were deceased. He and Augustine returned together. Juan then gained his American Citizenship in 1959.

He told many stories of his days as a sheepherder, but his favorite was when they ran out of firewood at the sheep camp and all their water and provisions froze. Juan thought he would freeze to death before someone arrived with more supplies.

He met a sweet, hardworking young girl, Beverly Kowitz, and they were married in 1959. Steve and Joanie made their family complete. In 1961, because of their hard work and determination, Juan and Beverly were able to purchase a farm in the Jackson area and Juan was able to become a cattle rancher, which was his true passion. He was the epitome of a cattle whisperer and could get his cattle to follow him anywhere with a few muttered words in his native language.

His family has fond memories of Juan taking them camping in areas where he herded sheep and we are still looking for a tree where he carved the words “No Mas” into on his last day as a sheepherder.

Despite his battle with Dementia, Juan will be fondly remembered for the sparkle in his eyes when telling a joke, but mostly for his strong work ethic. Up until about four weeks ago, he would still look for his irrigating boots on a regular basis so he could “go check water,” all four-wheelers and any mode of transportation had to be disabled so he didn’t use it to “go check his water.”

Juan is survived by his spouse, Beverly Irigoyen; son, Steve (Melanie); and daughter, Joanie (Stretch).

The family would like to thank Hospice Visions for their kindness and compassion in making Juan’s last days comfortable.

An open house, celebration of life, will be held from 2 until 6 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Steve and Melanie’s home, located at 1199 East 700 North, in Jackson, Idaho.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hansen Mortuary of Rupert.