LarRene (Romrell) Sargent

LarRene Romrell Sargent, 77, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 17, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family,  due to complications related to cancer. She was under the care of Enhabit Hospice.

LarRene was the first of ten children born March 7, 1947, to Roland Taylor Romrell and Joy Otteson Romrell in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She and her siblings were raised in Ammon and attended Ammon grade school and Bonneville High where she was active in band.

She was a hard worker from her early youth: babysitting, picking potatoes, working in her father's newly opened business on Yellowstone Highway, and helping her mother with her many siblings.

She attended Ricks College and BYU Provo where she studied business. While at BYU, she got a summer job in the steno pool for the Atomic Energy Site and would be called into offices either out on the site or in town as a substitute. She was an accomplished piano and organ player playing in church, the temple and accompanying her husband.

Her first teaching job was at Snake River Jr. High teaching type writing to 8th and 9th graders. While there, she began dating Van Sargent, a high School acquaintance, and they were married June 19, 1970. Van got a job teaching at Bonneville High and LarRene continued to teach at Snake River. They spent their entire married life in the Iona Area. After her children were pretty much raised she taught Hillcrest High until her retirement.

She is the mother of six children: Sara (Shane), Rachel (Reid), Stevan (Angie), Leah (Tony), Ruth (Kent) and Mark (deceased). She loved being a mother and was a great seamstress, making matching outfits nearly yearly until her children refused to be dressed alike. She is the grandmother of 15 grandchildren and famous for her many parties and weekly "Grandma Days."

For several years she served on the election board for local and national elections. She was vigilant in seeing that all rules were adhered to and became very close friends with all she served with and greatly enjoyed meeting and greeting those who came to vote.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life, serving in many positions including Relief Society President. In 2015, Van and LarRene served an 18 month mission in Salt Lake at the Family History Center.

In January 2000, while teaching at Hillcrest, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to teach during her treatments. She was a ferocious cancer survivor and attended all of the Cancer rallies. She considered all of the terrible side effects of cancer treatment well-worth the extended time of being with friends and watching her family grow.

LarRene was a genuine friend to all. She had a spiritual gift to remember names and details of her friends and to make everyone feel seen and loved. Her enjoyment of Book Club, Teacher's Club, Marley Cousin Dinners, Bon Fires, time with decades old friendships, family parties, dinners and special occasions brought her much joy and motivation to fight the good fight right up to her last days on earth.

She is survived by her husband; her five children and their families; siblings, Brenda  (Dan) Knight, LuDean (Maynard ) Jackson, Karleen (Jake) Garling, Garth (Amy) Romrell, Calvin (Kristie) Romrell, Christine Hepworth, Janeen Sandbakken, and Valeen (Lane) Terry.

She was preceded in death by her son, Mark; her parents, Roland and Joy Romrell; parents-in-law, Lula and Gwynn Call and Lloyd and Amy Sargent; her sister, Eileen; siblings-in-law, Loren Anderson, Dale Hepworth, Jerry Sandbakken, Neil and Marilyn Sargent, Newell Sargent, and Lynn and JoAnn Sargent.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. before services. Interment will be at the Ucon Cemetery.

Services will be broadcast live on this page.