Gerald Vernon Hurst

TWIN FALLS - Gerald Vernon Hurst, of Twin Falls slipped from this life on December 6, 2016. He was born March 3, 1928 in Shelley Idaho to Wesley Leon and Martha Velma Norton Hurst. The family lived on a farm southwest of Woodville until he was 9 years old when his parents purchased a farm west of Declo. He attended elementary school in Declo and graduated from Burley High School in 1946. He attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah for one year. While there, he was on the championship Gymnastics team.

He fell in love with Lois Banner and they were married August 7, 1950 in the Manti, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They enjoyed a happy companionship for 66 years. They bought a farm in Springdale area, east of Burley, and started their family. 5 children; Ann, Darla, Arlen, LaRae, and Julie were born there. He decided to further his education and returned to Logan, where their last son, Jerry was born. Gerald earned his master's degree in pre-med from Utah State University, then moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend Northwestern University in 1963.

In 1965 they returned to the Mini-Cassia area and he began work with the South Central Idaho Department of Health as an inspector for schools, food establishments, and dairies. They bought a home in Rupert, where they lived for 9 years. In 1974, he became the director for the department, and moved to Twin Falls. He retired in 1991.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as an ordinance worker in the Boise Temple, and happily served the Lord in many other capacities. His work as a scoutmaster was one of the accomplishments which brought him great satisfaction. He loved taking the boys on camping trips and teaching them first-aid and survival skills.

His love of music and dancing made square dancing very attractive to him. He and Lois started dancing in 1956 with some friends. They formed a club and needed a caller so he taught himself to call. He called dances for clubs in Rupert and Twin Falls until 1994. He loved taking the family on camping trips and snowmobiling in the South Hills.

He is survived by his wife, Lois, children; Ann (Clint) Evans, Darla (Jay) Jensen, Arlen (Merlene) Hurst, LaRae(Curtis) Tenney, Julie Hortin, Jerry (Danette) Hurst, 23 grandchildren, and 48 great grandchildren, a brother, Rulon, and a sister, Shirlene (Rex) Wrigley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 baby brothers, sisters; Leora Johnson, Elda West, and Deon Stanger, brothers-in-law Fred Johnson and Ralph West, sister-in-law, Liz Hurst, a son-in-law, Scott Hortin, and great grandson, Jaden Jensen.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Twin Falls LDS 7th Ward Chapel, 847 Eastland Dr. N. in Twin Falls at 11 a.m. with a viewing at White Mortuary on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. and at 10 am an hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of White Mortuary “Chapel by the Park.”