Marell Waite Huntsman

Marell Waite Huntsman, 92, of Boise, died peacefully in her sleep July 17 at her home.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the Boise Cherry Lane LDS Chapel, 3020 Cherry Lane. Friends may visit with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Relyea Funeral Chapel and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery in La Grande at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Marell was born July 27, 1916, to Appy Leo Waite and Christiana Ella Whiting Waite at Mount Glen. She grew up in the La Grande area with five of her brothers. She also had two half-brothers. She graduated from La Grande High School in 1933 and Eastern Oregon Normal School in 1935 with a life-time teaching certificate.

She taught school for five years in a one-room school house where she was principal, teacher and custodian. She boarded with her students' families and earned $75 a month, which she thought was an extravagant wage. She served an LDS mission in the Great Lakes area.

She married Conrad C. Huntsman April 3, 1942, in the Salt Lake Temple. They became the parents of 10 children - five daughters and five sons. They raised their family in La Grande. She and Conrad moved to Boise in 1984 to work in the Boise Temple.

Marell was always active in the LDS Church and worked for 25 years as a teacher in the Guide Patrol (Scout) program, plus she taught in other church organizations. She and her husband worked in the Boise Temple for over 20 years.

She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren play in various sporting events. She was a big fan of Eastern Oregon State College football (while her son played) and of BSU football and basketball. She traveled many miles to attend family members' special events. She enjoyed gardening and canning and freezing her produce. Her frozen raspberry jam was the best and she shared freely.

Marell is survived by her daughters and sons, Janice Green of Boise, Joyce (Douglas) Higley of Emmett, John (JoAnn) of Athena, Kathleen (Wayne) Jensen of Sutherlin, David (Elizabeth) of Baker City, E. Christine (Gerry) Rogalsky of Boise, Vaughn (Elaine) of Rock Springs, Wyo., Loren (Shelly) of Lyman, Wyo., and Donna Huntsman of Boise; 51 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren (with four on the way); and a half-brother, Russell Waite of Pendleton.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Conrad; her son, Warren Frank; one grandson; and three great-grandchildren.

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