Our angel mother passed peacefully from this life at the age of 96. She lived a full and wonderful life. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Seven months later, her parents, John Elmer Moss and Mary Florence Hunter Moss, moved to Southeast Idaho, where Grandpa farmed with his father. Mom was the oldest of 6 children: her sister Golda, and four brothers: Larry, Tom, Pat and Darrell.
When she was young she was not fond of her freckles. A young friend told her that if she would eat the mud pie they were making with ashes as the secret ingredient, the freckles would go away. She ate the pie, but the freckles remained! She grew up around a large extended family who adored her, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and many cousins. She graduated from Ririe High School in 1947. She attended Ricks College in nearby Rexburg where she was the student body secretary.
After completing a degree in Education, she taught elementary school in Shelley, where she courted and married our dad Homer Longhurst on June 2, 1950. Dad was a potato farmer like his father. While in Shelly they were blessed with 4 children, Jeanann, John, Darla and David. Shortly after David was born in 1957 they moved to Warden Washington and in 1959 to a farm just west of Connell, where they homesteaded on a 160 acre irrigated farm. In Washington, four more children joined the family, Keith, Kelly, Hanna, and Larry.
Mom was a hard worker. She cooked and canned and sewed and quilted and worked on the farm (including driving tractor and truck). She was very supportive of us kids and attended countless sporting and school events and church youth activities.
She was a lifelong, active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In 1992, Mom & Dad moved from the farm to Spokane Valley, where they made many dear friends and worked in the Spokane Temple for years. Mom was a natural teacher and taught our family and many, many others about Jesus Christ and showed by example what He is like. She loved and encouraged and forgave! Her beautiful smile radiated love and warmth and acceptance. We will miss her but we know she is so happy to be reunited with Dad, who passed away almost 14 years ago.
She is survived by her 8 children: Jeanann (John DeFord) of Spokane Valley WA; John (LaRue) Meridian, ID; Darla (Dan Van Zeben) Eden UT; David (Chris) Walnut Creek, CA; Keith (Lynne Anne) Cedar Hills, UT; Kelly (Sandra) Plano, TX, Hanna (Greg) Fairfield, WA; and Larry (Maren) Valleyford, WA. 37 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 2 siblings, and many extended family and friends.
There will be a viewing and opportunity to greet the family on June 13 from 6-8 pm and on June 14 from 10-10:30 am. The funeral services will immediately follow at 11am, with Interment to follow at Pines Cemetery. The viewing and services will be at The Spokane East Stake Center, 13608 E Belle Terre Ave in Spokane Valley.
