Brian Stanger

Earl Brian Stanger, 63, of Iona, died May 31, 2024, in a single vehicle accident.

Brian was born October 17, 1960, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Norman Ross Stanger and Joyce Jensen Stanger. He attended schools in Idaho Falls, including York and Longfellow Elementaries, O.E. Bell Jr. High, and graduated from Skyline High School in 1979. After graduation, he attended Ricks College, where he majored in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.

For a time, Brian worked in Wyoming for Aero Pulse, a seismic oil and natural gas exploration company. He also worked as a hired hand for Ted Thompson of Shelley, ID, where he helped with Ted’s cattle and calving operation and dry farming. In 1992, the Stangers moved west of Blackfoot to Rockford, Idaho. While there, Brian became a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician and firefighter for Blackfoot and surrounding areas. He also worked for Polatis Brothers Farms in Blackfoot.

In more recent years, his primary focus turned to the Stanger family ranch in Bone, ID, where he continued doing what he had done his entire life: managing cattle and calves for himself and others, riding horses, planting, tending, and harvesting crops, and fixing fences. This was his love and his life’s work.

During the long Idaho winters, Brian would spend time on auction sites and loved to find that elusive “sweet deal.” He enjoyed spending time with his family and joking with his nieces and nephews. Anyone who met him knows that Brian loved to tell a good story.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout the years.

Brian is survived by his mother, Joyce Stanger; brothers, Jed (Lora) Stanger; Brad (Barb) Stanger; Scott (Rasheil) Stanger; and sister, Jennifer Stanger all of Idaho Falls, ID; 10 nieces and nephews; and a trove of great friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Ross Stanger.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Iona 11th Ward building, 4707 E. Iona Road. The family will visit with friends Friday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery at a later date.