Vernal Wayne Reece

Vernal Wayne Reece was the first child born to Anelda Mina (Olsen) & Wayne Frank Reece in Ashton, Idaho, on August 11, 1933. Soon after, he and his mother took a train to Nampa, Idaho, while Wayne loaded up their belongings in a horse-drawn wagon and drove to meet up with them and start farming with family in Marsing. Vernal is the big brother to five siblings: Clyle, Joleen, Karen, LaNae, and Arden. He attended school in Marsing and married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Eager, on June 24, 1951, in Eaton, Colorado, in her aunt & uncle’s backyard. They were married by Vernal’s father, who was a bishop of the Marsing Ward. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for eternity on February 6, 1952.

Vernal participated in boxing in high school and enjoyed watching a variety of sports events. He and Patricia played tennis together while in high school, and it was a family activity for many years. As a family, we enjoyed camping, fishing, biking, and whiffle ball games. We have many fond memories, one of which is that our parents would rent two cabins on Payette Lake in McCall. The boys would stay in one and the girls, with mom & dad, in the other. Vernal would get up early in the morning and take any child willing to go fishing with him. We looked forward to a fresh fish meal later that day.

Vernal was passionate about serving his family, neighbors, community, and the LDS church. His philosophy was that “Your service to others is how you pay for occupying your space on earth.” He leaves us with a challenge: “Be sure to love, enjoy, and serve your family and community.”

He dearly loved his wife and cared for her through her illness in their home until she passed away. Vernal enjoyed music and sang with the “Majors and Minors” community choir and in the LDS church choir. He served on the Caldwell School Board for 18 years and was pleased to be the chairman when Sacagawea Elementary School was planned and built. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for several years, and he was honored to serve as Ambassador for a time. He helped serve at the Buckaroo Breakfast the week of the Caldwell Night Rodeo and would attend the rodeo on Saturday evening to watch the finals. He was also a “master gardener” and taught his family how to raise a productive garden. He would submit many varieties of his produce and flowers at the Caldwell Fair and won many ribbons. His garden supplied produce for his family, neighbors, and friends. We enjoyed the fresh produce, and we canned a lot of it. Every year, dad and mom put up many quarts of tomato juice, green beans, applesauce, and peaches. He also made an award-winning peanut brittle, which he made for special occasions! For his birthday, he would have Angel Food Cake with crushed Peanut Brittle mixed in homemade whipped cream.

Along with gardening, he had a few cows to milk, so we could have fresh milk, homemade ice cream, and butter.

Vernal has a great love for the Lord and has served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including 25 years in the Boise and Meridian LDS Temples. He enjoyed being able to serve together with his wife for a few of those years, along with many other people who became friends.

Vernal & Patricia are the parents of eight children: Noell, Garth, Daryl, Kevin, Candace, Scott, Twyla, and LaDawn. The family has grown to now include 32 grandchildren, 83 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren!

Vernal passed away on June 12, 2024, and was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and both of his brothers.

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