LaRena Myrth Kidd

BURLEY - LaRena Myrth (Jones) Kidd, age 85, passed peacefully to the other side to join the other part of her family on Monday, May 5, 2014.

Myrth was born on Jan. 18, 1929, to Percy Logan and LaRena Gunilla (Johnson) Jones in Burley, Idaho. She was the youngest of seven children - four brothers and two sisters. Myrth grew up in the Unity area and learned at an early age the value of hard work. As a teenager she prided herself in being one of the J.R. Simplot's "spud pickers," and loved to share the fact that she could out pick every person in the field, even the men! She prized and carried that hard work and persistent work ethic throughout her entire life.

She met Billy J. Kidd at the roller rink in Burley, Idaho. When she first got to the roller rink, she saw Billy, he had recently returned from service in World War II. She liked what she saw and bet her friend that she would have a date with him before the night was over. She put that persistent hard work ethic in motion and quickly won him over with her "pretty red skirt." They married on Sept. 1, 1946, in Burley, Idaho.

Over the course of several years, Myrth and Billy became the proud parents of ten children, Lora Kidd, Mauna Rae (Dale) Allen, Billy Jay Kidd, Cory Vaughn Kidd, Myrth Marlene (LaMar) Forgeon, Rexanne (Barry) Peterson, John Michael Kidd, Scott David (Tirzah) Kidd, Willow (Grant) May, and Heather (Kevin) Harris. In addition to her ten children, Myrth was always proud to announce that she had 40 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren.

Myrth served a service mission in Thailand and held many positions in the LDS Church - one of her favorite being ward dance director. She tricked many a farm boy into putting on dancing shoes to perform for all of the Gold and Green Balls and also Regional Dance Festivals, traveling as far away as Salt Lake City, Utah. She always loved serving the young and the old. Children of all ages have paid visits to Mom/Nanny Kidd. She had an uncanny ability to make any and every person she came in contact with to feel like they were her "favorite" person. She treasured all the friends and "ward family" relationships she had in the Rexburg, St Anthony, Chester, Hibbard, and Springdale wards.

Myrth was preceded in death by our dad, "Billy the Kidd"; both parents; three brothers, Luis (Leone) Jones, Bill (Emma) Jones, and John (Annie) Jones; and her two sisters, Iona Jones and Doris (Leo) Fullmer.

She is survived by her brother, Ross (Rainy) Jones; all of her ten children; 40 grandchildren; 62 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Before she passed from this earth, her main concern was to have a personal visit from all of her children and make sure that everybody was happy, happy, happy. Once that was accomplished, she peacefully went home.

Our family would like to give special thanks to the manager and staff at Rosetta Assisted Living for their countless hours of unconditional love and heavenly service that they strive so diligently to provide for their residents and also to their families. What a blessing to the lives of families you are. We can't thank you enough.

Funeral services will be held at the Springdale LDS Church. Springdale is the area where Myrth spent the largest part of her life raising her family. Thank you for sharing your service and time with us!

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Springdale LDS Church, 519 E. 200 S., of Burley, with Bishop Gregg M. Harman officiating. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.