Vance Ricks

Vance John Ricks, 88, of Twin Falls passed away Monday, July 30, 2012, at his home in Twin Falls following a long battle with cancer.

Vance was born to Earl Edwin Ricks and Theora Sarah Valentine on Nov. 25, 1923, at Sugar City. He attended schools in Teton and Rexburg, graduating from Madison High School in Rexburg.

Vance joined the United States Navy in March 1942, where he served and was wounded in the Pacific during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

Vance married Ardell Huskinson on Aug. 3, 1944, in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple. They were blessed with six children, 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Vance worked at several occupations, including farming, milk delivery, construction and the Rexburg City Police Department. On Oct. 31, 1956, he joined the Idaho State Police, where he served as a trooper, sergeant, lieutenant and the district commander in Twin Falls until his retirement April 1, 1982.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he held many callings. He and Ardell served a mission in the Atlanta, Ga., Temple, where they were trainers. They also worked in the Boise Temple and most recently, Vance had the privilege of working in the Twin Falls Temple.

Vance enjoyed camping, fishing and vacations with his family, and especially enjoyed hunting with his sons and sons-in-law.

Vance is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ardell; his sons, Gerald (Sherry) Ricks of Rexburg, Wendell Ricks of Palm Springs and Kent (Connie) Ricks of Boise; and his daughters, Kathy (Jim) Anderson of Rigby, Julie Brokaw of Sacramento, Calif., and Christie (Wayne) Hyde of Twin Falls. He is also survived by his three sisters, Rhea Park, Ruth Steward and Joyce Mickelson; and one brother, Bert Ricks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, two sons-in-law and one granddaughter.

Funeral services for Vance will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Twin Falls South Stake LDS Stake Center, on the corner of Orchard Drive and Harrison Street South in Twin Falls, with Bishop Greg Schroeder conducting. Graveside service will take place at noon Saturday, Aug. 4, at Teton-Newdale Cemetery in Sugar City with military honors by the Idaho National Guard and Madison County Veterans Honor Guard. A viewing for family and friends will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at White Mortuary, 136 Fourth Ave. East in Twin Falls, as well as Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services are under the direction of Trent Stimpson and staff at White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, Twin Falls.

A special thanks to St. Luke's Home Health and Hospice for their care of Vance through his long illness.

Condolencoes may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.