E. Lavar Palmer

Elmer LaVar Palmer, 83, of Idaho Falls, passed away June 14, 2017, at his home. He continued to share his powerful witness and love for God and Jesus Christ with everyone to the end of his life.

LaVar was born September 20, 1933, in Preston, Idaho, to Elmer Smith Palmer and Violetter Elizabeth Paskins Palmer. He grew up and attended schools in Preston and graduated from Preston High School. He also attended BYU.

On May 29, 1953, he married his sweetheart, Emma Lou Stokes, in Logan Utah LDS Temple. To this union were born six children, Mikele, Dirk, Daurel, Brett, Kenneth, and Suzanne. LaVar and Emma Lou made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where LaVar worked as an engineer at the Idaho National Lab. He loved to share stories about his work experiences. Emma Lou passed away in January 1997.

On August 23, 1997, he married Emma Lou’s lifelong friend, Carol Ainscough Jensen, in the Jordan River LDS Temple. LaVar and Carol made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he served in the Eastern Central States mission. Throughout his life he served in various capacities including Scout Master and Bishop. After retirement, he loved serving with his wife Carol as a missionary in Australia, Mongolia, and Salt Lake City Temple Square missions. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, and camping with his family. He loved to go Home Teaching.

LaVar is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Carol Palmer of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Mikele (Kerry) Palmer of Blackfoot, ID; son, Dirk Palmer of St . Anthony, ID; son, Daurel (Tammy) Palmer of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Brett (Tessa) Palmer of Buckeye, AZ; son, Kenneth (Emily) Palmer of Preston, ID; daughter, Suzanne Palmer of Nampa, ID; sister, Pauline Lindhardt of Preston, ID; brother, Hal Palmer of Preston, ID; brother, John (Lorene) Palmer of Preston, ID; brother, Dan (Lila) Palmer of Pocatello, ID; brother, Joel (Lois) Palmer of Preston, ID; 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Emma Lou Palmer, and his parents, and a grandson, Andrew James Palmer.

The family would like to thank hospice and Nuclear Care Partners who provided tender care and from which many wonderful new friends touched his life.

In lieu of flowers LaVar requested donations be made the LDS Missionary Fund at www.ldsphilanthropies.org/missionary.html or the LDS Humanitarian Services Fund at www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at the Idaho Falls LDS Brentwood Ward, 2040 Brentwood Drive, with Bishop Grant Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held