Donald Rydalch

1932 - 2025

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Donald Doyle Rydalch, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, on a bright fall morning at the age of 93.

Don was born April 2, 1932, in Grantsville, Utah, the eldest of six children of Roy and Mary Robinson Rydalch. In 1935, the family moved to Newdale, Idaho. He attended school in Newdale and later graduated from Sugar-Salem High School where he played quarterback on the football team. He met the love of his life, Doralee Bowen of Salem, Idaho, in the spring of eighth grade. Don and Doralee were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Aug. 7th, 1953. This year they joyfully celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Don worked several summers in Island Park, Idaho, an experience he remembered fondly throughout his life. Just a week before he passed away, he enjoyed a final drive through Island Park with his family.

Don earned a football scholarship to the University of Utah, where he played quarterback from 1950-1954. He was named an All-American football player at Utah and was invited to play in the Blue-Gray Senior Bowl. In 1954, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After graduation, he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force, serving nearly three years as a pilot and traveling the country playing football on the 9th Air Force football team.

Following his military service, Don became the first head football coach at Granger High School, a new high school that opened in Granger, Utah, in 1958.

In 1962, he accepted a position at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, as an assistant football coach and Director of Public Communications. Don and Doralee moved their family to Rexburg to start what became a 35-year career in athletics, teaching, and administration. He later became the head football coach, a position he held from 1965 to 1971. He also coached basketball, wrestling, track and field, and cross country. His cross-country team won a national championship in 1965. He chaired the Division of Religious and Family Living and was also Athletic Director for several years. He cherished his years at Ricks

College and valued the connections he built with students, athletes, fellow coaches and faculty members.

Don's life was deeply rooted in his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings, including bishop, stake president, temple worker, Sunday School teacher, and mission president. Don and Doralee presided over the St. Louis Mission from 1986-1989 and later served 12-month missions in Ft. Lauderdale and Temple Square in Salt Lake City. They also worked in the Idaho Falls Temple for two years. Their service blessed countless lives. Doralee's creation of a young adult choir in Florida became a lasting source of joy for many students in their mission - bringing many young adults back into church activity.

Don is survived by his wife, Doralee, and their 11 children. They include Melodie Rydalch of Taylorsville, Utah; Laurie (Barry) King of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Shelley (Brad) Liljenquist of Alpine, Utah; Jeff (Lynne) Rydalch of Rexburg; Jolyn (Mike) Peterson of Farmington, Utah; Shane (Julie) Rydalch of Pleasant View, Utah; Ryan (Kari) Rydalch of Leavenworth, Kansas; Maryann Housel of Riverton, Utah; Jason (Maurie) Rydalch of Pleasant View, Utah; Luci (Jon) Atkin of Herriman, Utah; and Rachel Hall of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

He is also survived by his sister, Janice Jeppesen, 50 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Hayden Housel, his parents, and four siblings.

Don loved Doralee deeply and treasured her partnership in raising their large family. From the early years, he began a tradition of assigning each new child or spouse a "family number," symbolizing their place in the family circle. In September, with the arrival of his 89th great-grandchild, Don and Doralee's direct descendants reached 200 - a remarkable legacy of love, faith, and family that will endure for generations.

We extend our gratitude to our Alliance Hospice and Home Health team and Dr. David Liljenquist who took such good care of dad. Your loving care helped us at a difficult time.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith." These words capture Don's life of devotion, commitment, and discipline. We love you, Dad, and look forward to the day we are together again.

Services:

Viewing: Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Summerfield LDS Ward Church at 3721 Shadow Mountain Trail Road, Idaho Falls, ID

Funeral: Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, 11 a.m. at the Rexburg LDS Stake Center, 845 West 7th South, Rexburg, Idaho. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Burial will follow the funeral service at the Teton Newdale Cemetery.