Ronald Mann Hepworth

BURLEY – Ronald Mann Hepworth, age 82, of Burley, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at his home with his family at his side.

He was born on April 2, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of William Grant and Alice Mann Hepworth. He spent the first few years of his life in the Woods Cross area, and then moved to Ontario, Oregon, where he farmed with his father.

Through his love of agriculture he taught his family the value of hard work. This was manifested in his life throughout his careers and enterprises. He owned and drove trucks, and worked for and helped build Ore-Ida Foods in Burley, where he was the cold storage manager. He purchased farm ground south of Burley and has been growing and increasing his land ever since. He built and operated Kenyon Grain, along with many other successful business endeavors.

He married Lolita Delores Frost in 1950 and was sealed to her in the Logan Utah LDS Temple one year later. To this union were born five children.

He and his wife had many friends and loved to travel. They were faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lolita died in 1999. One year later, Ron married RaeAnn Porritt. They became best friends and had a deep love for one another as they took care of each other.

He is survived by his siblings, Mary (Dan) Walton, Janet (Jack) Duncan, Alan (Arlene) Hepworth, Bill (Bonnie) Hepworth, and Wayne (Carrie) Hepworth; and his children, Steven (Jodi) Hepworth, Linda (Bart) Robins, Susan Hepworth, Ronda (Wayne) Andersen, Polly (Jack) Pinckney, and Kristi Porritt (Jeremy) Summers. He was blessed with 25 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

Dad said, “The best crop I ever raised was my kids.”

In addition to his first wife, Lolita, he was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Pella LDS Church, 160 W. 400 S., of Burley, with Bishop Lyle D. Sager officiating. Burial will follow at the Pella Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from noon until 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.