Elwood Kirby

Lafe Elwood Kirby, 93, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 28, 2016, in the loving arms of his family at Mount Vernon Assisted Living Center. He was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice.

Elwood was born February 27, 1923, in Hyde Park, Utah, to LaFay Kirby and Mary Louisa Elwood Kirby. Elwood and his family moved to Idaho Falls when he was 6 years old. From July until November they lived in a tent in a park until they could find an upstairs apartment to spend the winter. He attended schools in Hyde Park, Utah; Grace, Idaho and Idaho Falls.

Elwood served in the Army during World War II as a Telephone Lineman, Quartermaster Truck Driver and a Military Policeman. He was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines.

When he came home from the war, he met his "Brown-Eyed Swede," Doris Adaline Faust and they were married September 15, 1946, in New Sweden, Idaho. He started farming on the family farm after they were married.

Elwood and Doris had four daughters, Marilyn, Jeanine, Marsha and Janet. They were later sealed as a family for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He worked as a farmer until he returned to the Post Register in 1958 working there and farming until his retirement in 1984.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They enjoyed their retirement years, traveling to see children and grandchildren. They enjoyed many years in Island Park at their trailer lot as it was a gathering place for all of their family where many happy memories were made together. Elwood especially enjoyed spending time with his girls and all of his grandchildren. He loved to take car rides to look at the scenery with anyone that would take him. He also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing with his family.

Doris passed away April 15, 2009, and he was deeply saddened by the loss of his eternal companion and sweetheart of 62 years and longed for the time they could be together again.

Elwood is survived by his daughters, Marilyn (Larry) Rutt, Idaho Falls, ID, Jeanine (Dann) Mullen, Meridian, ID, Marsha Kirby, Fairfax, VA, Janet Kirby, Idaho Falls, ID; sister; Donna (Dean) Edie, Idaho Falls, ID; grandchildren, Shane (Shannon) Rutt, Moreland, ID, Camille (Stephen) Mack, Idaho Falls, ID, Kristine Buttars, Idaho Falls, ID, Karalee Rutt, Idaho Falls, ID, Steven (Vanessa) Rutt, Idaho Falls, ID, Clark (Erin) Mullen, Nampa, ID, Craig Mullen, Meridian, ID, Jeff Mullen, Meridian, ID, April Mullen, Meridian, ID, Tara (Robert) Gagon, Leesburg, VA, Brenda McKinlay, (Bryant Smith), Herndon, VA, and Charles Ward, Bozeman, Montana.

Elwood has 27 great grand children and 4 great-great grandchildren, too many to list by name, but they all adored him and were loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brothers Boyd and Donald Kirby, and one great grandson Carter Mullen, Frankie & Louie Gagon.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2016, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, with Bishop Frank Webber of the Idaho Falls 39th Ward officiating. The family will meet with friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Burial will be in the New Sweden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Idaho Special Olympics.

Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Funeral Services will be held