Donald’s Obituary Donald Lavern Weeks, son of Sherman Newlon Weeks, “Shorty,” and Ima Lee Hack, died on March 15, 2019 at the age of 91. Don was born in Jerome, Idaho, on May 1, 1927 in a huge snowstorm at his grandparents’ house. He was raised on a farm near the Snake River Canyon in Jerome, Idaho where he loved to climb down the cliffs to fish.
He had two sisters, Doris and Louise, and a half sister, Dorothy. He played the trumpet in the high school band, enjoyed baseball, boxing, horseracing, and, of course, fishing. During his Junior year he took a year off school to run the farm due to his father’s heart attacks, but was then drafted into the Army during WWII at the end of the summer.
He served in Salzburg Austria and for much of his time guarding the Klessheim Castle officer headquarters. He was discharged in 1947. Upon returning to Jerome, Idaho, he met and fell head over heals in love with Idell Hymas.
They were married on April 17, 1948 in Elko, Nevada. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls temple on August 17, 1962. Don and Idell had six children, Dixie Williams (Rich Williams); Larry Weeks (Terry Nelson), Susan Stokes (the late Stephen Stokes), Mary Ann Young (Bob Young), Judy Weeks and Sharon Infanger (Jim Bob Infanger).
As a newlywed, Don first worked at an automotive shop in Jerome, and later Jerome Lumber. On May 1, 1966 he moved to Salmon and managed Lemhi Lumber until 1992. As Lemhi Lumber grew into a thriving business, his wife, Idell, joined him in the paint department (everyone loved “the paint lady”).
He then took over his father’s fly tying business, “Weeks’ Flies,” and tied flies until he was 91. He had a wood hauling business on the side that he ran with his grandsons, teaching them the invaluable lessons of hard work, generosity and how to see the humor in almost anything. He loved his association with the people of Salmon and the many people who worked for and with him through the years.
He was a stickler for quality and precision—if he said he would do something, it would be done 110%. Salmon had his heart from the time he would travel up from Jerome on weekends to hunt and fish when he was younger. He knew the beautiful valley, full of wildlife, mountains and some of the friendliest people he had ever met, was the place he wanted to finish raising his family.
Don’s quick wit, sense of humor and kindness endeared him to many. As his children married mostly local spouses, the Weeks family became part of the fabric of the community. In his own words, “We do love the Salmon area and the surrounding country and the people here”.
Don was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings including bishop, counselor, high counselor, priests teacher, young men’s presidency and stake executive secretary. He served faithfully as a home teacher throughout his membership and made life long friends through his service. His greatest service was shown to his wife, Idell, the love of his life, and to whom he was devoted to for 70 years and cared for as her health failed.
He was a cherished and loving father and grandfather. He will be missed, but his heritage lives on through four living children, 30 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, “Shorty” and Ima; sisters, Doris Peterson, Louise Weeks and Dorothy Gregory; daughters, Judy Weeks and Dixie Williams; son-in-law, Stephen Stokes; grandson, E.J. Infanger; and great-grand-daughter, Annee Stokes.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 12:00 noon at the LDS Stake Center on 400 S. Daisy, Salmon, with a viewing for friends and family from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A viewing will also be held Friday, March 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
