Donald Lester Henderson, 11 January 1917

DOWNEY – Our beloved father, Donald Lester Henderson, 85, passed away at his home on March 30, 2002 surrounded by his family.

Don was born January 11, 1917 in a log cabin at a place above Swan Lake called Jack Creek, a son of Hyrum Lester and Millie Perthenia Pratt Henderson. Don was the first born of nine children. he went to grade school in Swan Lake. He and his brothers and sister rode a horse to school or walked. Later he attended high school in Downey. In those days, the whole family worked together to make things go, and worked hard to help each other. Don’s life centered around his family, including his cattle, horses and dogs. He was truly a gentleman cowboy.

He married Ila Mae Byington on June 8, 1944 in the Logan, UT LDS Temple. Don and Ila were blessed with three daughters, Berdean, Helen and Idona. They lived most of their lives in Swan Lake. Ila Mae passed away on December 7, 1966 following a long illness and heart surgery. Don married Laura Keeler Nelson on June 13, 1968.

Laura had two daughters and two sons, Nancy, Laree, Vance and Terrell. Don and Laura later moved from Swan Lake to the old Pratt place, a few miles south of Downey. Together they worked side by side raising horses, feeding cattle, haying and all the other things required of farmers and ranchers. Their two black studs sired many beautiful colts. They are spread over the whole valley.

The last few moments with Dad were very peaceful and shared by family members.

Don is survived by his wife, Laura, of Downey; children, Berdean (Kirk) Dahlke of American Falls; Helen (Tony) DiVesti of Downey; Idona Jepsen of Boise; stepchildren, Nancy (Walter) Parker of Mackay; Laree (Larry) Nielsen of Snowville, UT; Vance (Julie) Nelson of Caldwell; Terrell (Stacy) Nelson of Boise; brothers, Reed (Leia) Henderson of Preston; Calvin (Joylin) Henderson of Swan Lake; sister, Audrey Jensen of Brigham City, UT; 31 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held April 3, 2002 in the Downey LDS Second Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the Swan lake Cemetery.