Lyn Bidstrup

1936 - 2016

Rosslyn Hill "Lyn" Bidstrup, 79, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 31, 2016, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Lyn was born Oct. 17, 1936, in Idaho Falls. He was raised by loving parents, Alfred Charles Bidstrup and Jewell Hill Bidstrup. He grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School, then attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. He also served in the Army National Guard.

On Dec. 12, 1958, he married Barbara Lynn Howe in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Lynn and Barbara are the parents of eight children and were foster parents to several others. They made their home in Idaho Falls, where Lyn co-owned and operated Jewel Electric with his brother, Chris. A successful businessman, Lyn was named a "Money Hero" by Money Magazine in 2014.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lyn served as bishop of the Lincoln 3rd Ward, on the high council of the Lincoln Stake and at BYU-Idaho and as an officiator in the Idaho Falls Temple. From 1956-1958, he served a full-time mission in the Central Atlantic States. He and Barbara served as missionaries in Bristol, England, from 1999-2000, in Malaysia from 2002-2004 and in the Idaho Falls LDS Employment Office from 2013-2015. Active in the community, Lyn served as Republican precinct committeeman and as chapter chair of SCORE. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hiking, singing and spending time at the family cabin in Island Park, Idaho.

Lyn is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara Bidstrup of Idaho Falls; seven daughters, Anita (Vaughn) Worthen of Orem, Utah, Karina (Paul) Metcalf of Lewisville, Texas, DeAnn (James) Dykes of Longmont, Colo., Annette (Wade) Covert of Provo, Utah, Lynae (Robert) McKay of Omaha, Neb., Alisa (Mark) Jeffs of Idaho Falls and Eileen (Kelly) Boren of Queen Creek, Ariz.; a son, Robert (Charlynn) Bidstrup of Idaho Falls; two brothers, Chris (Leah) Bidstrup of Idaho Falls and Scott Bidstrup of Costa Rica; a sister, Jean (Darrell) Jensen of Idaho Falls; 31 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 6, at the Idaho Falls LDS Lincoln 3rd Ward, 2545 Mesa St., with Bishop Wesley Frey officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Rigby-Pioneer Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.