Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Phillip Durst Obituary
He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on June 17, 1944, to Samuel Phillip Durst and DeLeas Virginia Kuttler Durst.
In 1967 he married Karen Marie Transtrum in the Idaho Falls Temple and as time went on, they were blessed with six children.
He graduated from Pocatello High in 1962. From 1963 to 1965 he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Andes Mission. After attending ISU for three years, he served in the US Navy. This was during the Vietnam War. He worked as a Hull Repair Technician (fixing broken things) and was discharged as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. Returning to ISU he received a BA in Education in 1975. Kent taught and was an elementary principal until retiring in 2007. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding career and he promoted many activities to encourage the students to read. In 2009 he and Karen moved to Idaho Falls.
For many years, he was a volunteer EMT/Fireman with the Rigby QRU and Jefferson Central Fire District. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America for many years and received the Silver Beaver Award. The one Karen affectionately called the "Busy Beaver Award."
After retiring he went to work at Idaho Mountain Trading, one of his favorite stores, and at times owed more than he earned when pay day came around. Year around camping, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing, especially with his family, were some of his favorite activities. He also enjoyed woodworking, photography, motorcycling, reading, telling stories, as well as fishing and hunting.
Taking care of the yard and flower bed was a challenge for him even though he didn't mind it. He often said if it grew, he could manage to kill it. Over the years he had the opportunity to serve in a variety of callings in the church and after retiring served with Karen in the Raleigh North Carolina Mission and the Little Rock Arkansas Mission.
Visiting and playing with their grandchildren was always a highlight for him. He is survived by wife Karen, children, Tisa (Matthew) Kaufmann, of Reseda, California; Scott (Bridget) Durst of Aurora, Oregon; Karl (Missy) Durst of St. George, Utah; Brian (Lyndsey) Durst of St. George, Utah; Sara (Ben) Nelson of Shelley, Idaho; Elizabeth (Chet) Bruderer of Pocatello, Idaho; 21 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, 2 brothers, and his friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Mindi Gylling Durst.
Life treated him well; he enjoyed his time on earth and was richly blessed.
There will be an open house at the Carriage Gate Ward Chapel (5255 South 5th West, Idaho Falls, ID) on Friday, April 18, 2025 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Phillip Durst
Sponsored by Eckersell Funeral Home (Eckersell Memorial Chapel).
Brandi Ann Anderson (guymon)
May 16, 2025
Oh my heart aches, I just saw this. What a wonderful man who took so much time to work with my daughter and my husband who is now deceased and what a wonderful, wonderful person always such a great neighbor always always great talks. One of his best talks he gave in church 1 time. It was about how our struggles in life. Come and how we need to Learn on how to nip thing is in the butt, and he was referring to it like a tree and how the tree grows, but it'll get a little start that grows off, and that little start may not start the grows off, may not be where we need it to be. And if we clip it. And it helps like our testimony to grow stronger and stronger instead of having Those little offshoots and struggle anyways, god bless you and karen, my heart goes out to you all my love brandi, ann
LaRell Greenhalgh
April 25, 2025
Kent was such a great man! He was kind, courteous, and caring. He always had such a positive outlook on life no matter the circumstances!
Chanel jaramillo
April 19, 2025
He was an amazing principal, I went to harwood elementary school!!
Deidre Taylor
April 16, 2025
Karen and Family. . .
I am so very sorry to read that Kent passed away. He was so inspiring to work with and always happy. I have missed my association with both you and Kent through these past years.
We are living in St. George for the winter and regret that we will not be in town to pay our respect. Please accept my deepest sympathy and love to all of you.
Thinking of you always,
Deidre Taylor
JoAnn Randall
April 16, 2025
Karl, your Dad was such a well-rounded and fun man. Yes, I slept on the lunchroom floor at Midway at a party honoring our daughter Suzanne and other copious readers. I hope your mind will be full of pleasant memories.
Rachel Johanson (Hardy)
April 16, 2025
Wow what a loss. Such a great man. My thoughts are with your family.
Amy (Henry) Bateman
April 16, 2025
I have many fond memories of my years at Kinghorn with Mr. Durst as principal. A favorite was spending the night at school for achieving reading goals and being served breakfast by the principal.
Dale Nalder
April 16, 2025
Kent, knowing you was a blessing in my life. You will be much missed. Thanks for all your service and kindness. I remember once you translated for a Spanish speaking patient we were treating. Over the radio! Helped a total stranger you never met.
Heather Warnberg
April 16, 2025
He was he BEST principal! I remember him camping out on the roof of the school because we met our reading goal as a school! He was so kind, even when he needed to be stern.
Harold Joleen Hansen
April 15, 2025
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
David Jack Browning
April 15, 2025
Rest well, Mr. Durst! You were such a great friend to us.
Carley Pickett
April 15, 2025
My childhood memories are filled with the Durst family! Kent was a great story teller. I remember the story about the missing Indian and the road sign, "Watch for Falling Rock". He always included my siblings in his adventures. A girls hiking trip where he made the best venison burgers, trips in yellowstone, camping and swimming at Green River, driving to Disneyland and many more. I remember being sick with mono and hadn't eaten or really moved off the couch for a week and Kent came over to give me a priesthood blessing. The next week, I was up and about almost back to my normal self. Kent was a fun principal. He brought me home in kindergarten from Kinghorn Elementary, standing in the front seat of their van so I could change my clothes after having an accident. He covered the walls with leprechaun foot pirnts and each class found a pot of gold, I remember he had to change the population sign in the Harwood cafeteria from pop to population because the students thought it was talking about how much soda was in the school, and sleeping on the school roof. He would do anything for his students. He was like a second father to me and I am grateful to have all these memories of him. My heart breaks for his family and I pray that they continue to feel his spirit around them.
Bruce and Debbie Karren
April 15, 2025
A great man.
Nancy Madsen
April 15, 2025
Kent was an outstanding principal! He was loved by the children, parents and his teachers. He was an outstanding leader and storyteller. His compassion, dedication and humor were shared with all who knew him at school and work!
My condolences to his entire family.
Katrina (Willford) Blake
April 15, 2025
Best Principal Ever
Sherry Sloan
April 15, 2025
My very favorite principal and friend
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in Phillip Durst's name
Memorial Events
for Phillip Durst
Funeral services provided by:
Eckersell Funeral Home (Eckersell Memorial Chapel)101 West Main St., Rigby, ID 83442
How to support Phillip's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Phillip Durst's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
