Kenneth H Hurd

Kenneth H Hurd, 1940-2023

Kenneth “Kenny” Hurd was born on June 11, 1940 in Grover, Wyoming to parents
Laverne and Serell Hurd. He grew up on the family’s farm, milking Holstein cows and
helping his parents and two brothers harvest hay and raise sheep, cattle, and pigs. His
fondest childhood memory was hauling bricks in his little red wagon when he was just 3
years old to be used for the chimney in their new house. His favorite grandmother, Sarah,
helped him with the project and he always remembered her kindness and care of him. At
age 11, Kenny was put in charge of caring for the farm by himself for more than a week,
while his parents attended her funeral. He was always proud of the responsibility he was
given at such a young age, including milking the dairy cows before heading to school
each day. Though he did not attend church for much of his adult life, Kenny held fast to
his family’s generations-long faith in Mormonism.

Kenny graduated from Afton High School in 1958, and the following year he married
Judy Kae Whitney of San Diego, who had relatives living in Star Valley, Wyoming. They
started a family soon after and together raised three children – Tim, Holly, and Scott.
During their 14 years of marriage, Kenny and Judy resided first in California, where Ken
worked at San Diego Gas and Electric. Later, they lived in Grover and Burley, Idaho,
before settling in McCall, Idaho. When Judy’s younger half siblings Kris and Doug Ford
lost their mother to cancer, Kenny again proved his responsible nature by taking them in
and helping to support and raise them along with his own children.

Kenny was a character with a good sense of humor who was well-known and well-liked
in town. A visit to the post office or grocery store was never short, as he loved to chat
with everyone he saw along the way, sharing a joke or funny story told with his
trademark dry wit. He worked on the road crew for the Forest Service in the summer and
at Brundage Mountain during the winter, often taking his kids to ski for the day. Kenny
was later employed at H&W Hardware and he also served as a reserve policeman. He
enjoyed playing catch, sledding, playing cards, soft serve ice cream at the Red Steer, and
a western film at the theater in Cascade with his family.

In 1978, Kenny married Nancy “Jo” Jenkins with whom he shared 45 happy years
together. They enjoyed making painted wooden decorations and homemade brandy,
canning fruit, and creating other delectables to share with their family and friends. Later
in life while living on “mini farms” in Lucille and Pollock, he and Jo raised miniature
cows and goats. He liked having a large lawn to mow, which made him feel the peaceful
expanse of the farm life he loved.

Kenny lived his life the way he chose, surrounded by the things he loved—a tractor, a
dog here and there, grass, cows, sheds, tools, a firepit, pear and apricot trees, and a
fishing pole. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Serell and Laverne; brother
Devon; stepson Mike Jenkins; and two grandsons. He will be missed by his wife Jo;
children Tim (Alan Herring) Hurd, Holly Hurd, and Scott (Rebecca) Hurd; brother Dale;
step-children Terri (Bruce) McLean, Chris (Nedra) Jenkins, and Mark Jenkins; his 6
grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center for
their kind and compassionate care of Kenny. He passed away peacefully on October 22,
2023. At Kenny’s request, there will be no service. The family will have a graveside
gathering in Grover in the spring of 2024.