Thayne Shumway Huntsman

Thayne Shumway Huntsman, 74, of Shelley, Idaho, passed from this life’s journey on the 24th of August, 2008.  Surrounded by his family, his body finalized a battle with cancer while at his home. 

The oldest living son of Delos and Anona Huntsman, Thayne was born on the 13th of October, 1933 in Woodville, Idaho.  His formal education took place in Shelley, Idaho, followed by higher education at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints he served as a LDS missionary to the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission from 1954 to 1956.  Following his service to the Lord, he served his country as a sharpshooter for the United States Army’s 6th Cavalry Regiment from 1956 to 1958.  At the end of his military service he married his eternal sweetheart, Alene Beth Cox, for time and all eternity on the 24th of October, 1958 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.  

From his early childhood, Thayne enjoyed athletics, playing high school basketball, football, and baseball, and baseball in the Army, along with being a standout Idaho Falls city fast pitch softball player.  However, his family was his number one priority, and their collections of experiences are endless. As an avid outdoorsman, many fond memories were created and shared on the rivers, streams, and in the mountains of Idaho and Alaska, where he passed on his passions of the outdoors to his posterity.  From hunting, fishing, camping, golf, and skiing, his biggest thrills in the outdoors always came in association with the success of his children and grandchildren.  After his retirement from 35 years at the Argonne National Laboratory, Thayne and Alene served two LDS missions, the first back to the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission, and the second to the Japan Sapporo Mission.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Delos and Anona Huntsman, of Shelley, Idaho, and two brothers, Merrill and Neal. 

He is survived by his brother Dale (Denise) Huntsman, sisters Deona (Donald R.) Kirkham and Vanece (George) Siems of Shelley, Idaho, and sisters Julene (Larry) Hampton and Neva (Hal) Poulsen, both of Utah. 

His posterity includes sons Carlan, Darren (Beckie) Huntsman, and daughter Lee (Mike) Murri of Idaho Falls, along with sons Dante (Julie) Huntsman of Shelley, and Wade (Mary Jo) Huntsman of Rexburg.  He had 14 grandchildren.

There will be a viewing at the Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley, Idaho on the evening of Tuesday, August 26th from 6:30 to 8:30pm.  Funeral services on Wednesday, the 27th of August, will begin at 11:00am, with a morning viewing beginning at 9:30am till 10:40am at the LDS Woodville Ward (1555 North 700 East).

If you prefer, the Huntsman family invites you to donate to the charity of your choice in lieu of sending flowers, with much thanks and sincerity.