Rene Shurtliff

Biography

Click Here To View Memorial Video Produced by the Family James LuRene "Rene" Shurtliff, 96, of Hamer, Idaho passed away Monday, April 28, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. Rene was under the care of Hands of Hope Hospice. Rene was born August 23, 1917, in Iona, Idaho, the son of Tom and Mayme Shurtliff. At the age of 9 he left home to live with Sheldon and Alice Cutler. Rene went to school and worked part time for different farmers. He learned to drive ten to thirteen head of horses on a combine, plow, or just to haul feed. On September 18, 1937, Rene married Lella Campbell. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. That fall he went to work for Lawrence Kidd on his horse ranch near Camas. Each winter he worked the beet campaign for U and I Sugar in Lincoln, taking charge of a feedlot with approximately 500 cattle. In the spring of 1942, Rene went to work for Oscar Berggren in Ucon, Idaho. This is where he got his start in farming. In 1946, the family moved to Osgood, Idaho. Together they farmed, raised sheep, and had dairy cattle. It was here that Rene became involved with pulling horses, later entering local fairs including the Eastern Idaho State Fair where he had the number one pulling team of light-weights for three years in a row. In 1951, Rene moved to Hamer to start his own dream of farming and ranching. Times were tough and so he went to work on construction at the D.O.E. Site to make ends meet. After several years Rene purchased his own backhoe. This proved to be a good investment obtaining him a number of contracting jobs. Rene was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed attending church and being involved in activities such as high priest group leadership, organizing temple excursions, putting together rodeos for the 24th of July, and ward activities. One of his highlights in later years was being the ward greeter. The family offers a special thanks to Hands of Hope Hospice for their kind and loving care of Rene. Rene is survived by his six children, Herb (Georgia) Shurtliff of Ucon, Barbara Rausch of Moreland, Margaret (Vernon) Ritchie of Idaho Falls, Tim (Karen) Shurtliff of Pocatello, Bill Shurtliff and Dena (Roger) Stadtman both of Hamer, 19 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, 3 soon to arrive, and a brother, Rex (Alice) of Idaho Falls. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 1 granddaughter, 3 great grandchildren, 1 son-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, 3 sisters, and 3 brothers. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 3, at the Hamer LDS Ward (2454 East 2100 North). The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to services, both at the Hamer Ward. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.