Junetta Grace (Ritchie) Hale

Junetta Grace Ritchie Hale, 72, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 4, 2025, at her home. She was under the care of Eden Hospice.

Junetta was born July 23, 1952, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to William J. Ritchie and Afton Maxine Anthony Ritchie. She grew up and attended schools in Ucon and graduated from Bonneville High School. She also attended business school.

On March 30, 1984, she married Kenneth Edwin Hale in Idaho Falls. Junetta and Ken made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Junetta worked as a administrative clerk for Riverview and Parkview Hospitals. Her daughter Kathy Ellen was welcomed on January 23, 1978.

She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. In early adulthood, she enjoyed baking. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed crochet, latch hook, and crafting.

Junetta is survived by her husband, Kenneth Hale of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Kathy (Matt) Goodson of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, William Gene Ritchie of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Loyd Max (Julie) Ritchie of Chubbuck, ID; sister, Susan Kaye Vineyard of Eden, ID; four grandchildren and great-granddaughter, Millie Mae on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; parent-in-laws, Hubert “Buck” Hale, and Lucille Hale; granddaughter, Carly Jacquline Goodson; and ex-husband, Bruce Carl VanOrden.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2071 12th Street, with Reverend Garen Pay officiating. The family will visit with friends 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior at the church. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery.

The family encourages everyone to please wear light blue, pink, or yellow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Wood Funeral Home to help with expenses.