Verl Bagley
August 19, 1916 — December 13, 2011
He loved to tell stories of his early years spent herding sheep in Teton Valley and the surrounding mountains. He attended school in Teton Valley and later attended Ricks College. There he met Verna Humpherys and shortly after they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 5 children, 3 daughters and 2 sons. Verna died February 11, 1954. In November of that year, Verl married Elva Nielsen. He brought Elva's daughter into his home and loved her as one of his own. They added one more daughter to the family.
Verl farmed, had a dairy and raised sheep. Later they traded the sheep for beef cows. He also had lots of chickens. He later sold his farm to his sons and began spending more time on the banks of the river by his house catching fish. He was the water master for Trail Creek Sprinkler Irrigation Company for several years. He also spent time witching water for people throughout the valley. Whenever anyone came to visit, he would get his "water-witching stick" out to see if they had the power.
Whenever you were with Verl, you could count on hearing stories of happenings around the Valley. He never repeated a story unless someone new was there to listen. For several years the Teton Valley News published his stories in an article called "Thursdays with Verl". He was able to publish a book with some of these stories and soon the rest of his stories will be published in another book.
He also had a green thumb. He spend a lot of his time in his green house raising tomatoes and cucumbers to share with his many friends and family that dropped by from time to time. The rest of the time was spent raising rhubarb and a yard full of beautiful flowers. Verl was able to live at home all of his years and loved to share his testimony of the Gospel with everyone that came to his home.
He is survived by one sister, Ruby Kunz of Victor, Idaho and by his children Karen (Val) Johnson of West Jordan, Utah; Verlene (Thayne) Green of Goleta, California; Kent (Pauline) Bagley of Victor, Idaho; Lisa Huff of Spokane, Washington; and Lynn (LeRae) Bagley of Victor, Idaho. He also has 19 Grandchildren, 61 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a Sister, Ruth Kearsley, a brother, Wendell Bagley, 2 Daughters, DeAnn and Lee Anne and 2 Great Grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, December 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the LDS Church in Victor, Idaho. Visitation will be Sunday Evening from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM and again Monday morning from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM.