Feb. 2, 1927 - Dec. 14, 2014
Date of Service: Dec. 20, 2014
George Osmer Ward Jr.
CONNOR CREEK - George Osmer Ward Jr., age 87, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, at his home in Connor Creek, Idaho, surrounded by his wife, Sue Carrol Henrikson Ward, and family.
He was born on Feb. 2, 1927, in Connor Creek, Idaho, to George Osmer Ward, Sr. and Florence Lillian Winder Ward. He attended school in Malta and completed his education at the Albion State Normal School. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Army. George married Sue Carrol Henrikson on Dec. 31, 1947, in Boise, Idaho. They were later sealed in 1952 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple for time and all eternity.
George worked for the Forest Service while living in Malta before he and Sue Carrol won a draw in 1951 for undeveloped land in Block 11 in the Connell, Washington area, where they lived for almost 25 years. Farming was his passion, but it was never enough to feed the family. George was a hard worker who believed in the phrase “Going the extra mile.” He taught this principle to his children. George was a service manager for John Deere Implement, a mechanic for Erickson Motor, and drove a school bus while still farming part-time. He worked at Hostettler Ford Motor in Othello, Washington, as a line mechanic for 10 years. He then opened his own repair shop, Ward’s Repair, on the farm. Customers would travel from as far away as 50 miles to have their work done at his shop. They moved their family to Burley in 1976 to work for Hanzel Chevrolet as the service manager. In 1978, George opened and operated the Napa Auto Parts store. In 1982, he started his own business, Ward’s Refrigeration. At his retirement, he sold his business to his grandson, Adam Ward.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Scout Master, ward missionary, diligent home teacher, a seventy, and a high priest. He enjoyed his retirement by returning to Connor Creek and continued his love of farming by planting trees and an annual garden. Family was a huge part of his life and it made him very happy to have family come out to the “farm.”
George is survived by his wife, Sue Carrol Ward; five children: daughter, Karen Rose (Jerry Ferguson) and their children, Debbie (Ron Brown), Dawn (Rob Hamblin), Danell (Matthew Naef), Danette (Adam Haroldsen), and Lee (Gloria Alvarado); son, Danny Earl (Alicia) and their children, Chris Keetch (Shannon), Trisha Keetch (Bart Moultrie), Adam (Amanda), Carrol (Seth Robins), Dolan (Whitney), and Sara (Cody Oaks); daughter, Gayla Faye Ward and her children, Paula (Thomas Moore), Kassandra, and Shyann; daughter, Sandra Mae (Eric Allred) and their children, Deserae (Lane Orton), Telene (Shawn Griffiths), Brandi (Josh Murrey), and Aftyn (Patrick Reese); and son, David Osmer (Julie) and their children, Breanna, Cassidy, and Trevor; and his brother, Gale Robert Ward. George and Sue Carrol have 22 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Osmer Ward Sr. and Florence Lillian Ward; his siblings, Eloise Barnes, Onadell Lines, Isabelle Coates, and Terry Ward; a grandson, Clinton Ward; and a great-grandson, Michael Hamblin.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Elba LDS Church with Bishop Tom Ottley officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Burial will be in the Grand View Cemetery in Elba.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.
