Jenkin L. Palmer, 86, of Malad, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2001, at the Oneida County Long Term Care Facility in Malad, of congestive heart failure. He was born July 7, 1915, in Malad, Idaho a son of William and Catherine Jones Palmer, the youngest of eight children. Jenkin, or “Jenk,” as most people called him, graduated from Malad High School where he lettered in three sports. He graduated from the University of Idaho in Pre Med, with a music minor. While there, he was a member of the Vandaleers, an elite chorus. He also attended the University of Utah for one year.
Jenkin married Sarah Lilly Thomas, September 9, 1936, at Malad. Sarah passed away in 1993. Jenkin married Erma Evans at Malad on February 17, 1996. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jenkin taught at Melba High School for two years, then returned to Malad to assist his father on the ranch at Big Bend. He served as President of the Junior Chamber Commerce and was nominated Outstanding Young Man of Southeastern Idaho. He was a member the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. He served as President of the Idaho Cattlemen’s Association, and as an Oneida County Commissioner for six years. Jenk served 16 years in the Idaho Legislature on the House Appropriation Committee, and 10 years as chairman of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee.
Jenkin was appointed to the Idaho State Tax Commission in 1972 by Governor Cecil Andrus, where he served for 10 years, including six years as the Chairman. He received a national award for State Employee of the Year at the National Governors’ Conference in Atlantic City in 1981.
Jenkin was known throughout his life for his beautiful baritone singing voice. He performed at over 2500 funeral and wedding services, receiving no monetary compensation. Two of his greatest joys in life were music and serving the State of Idaho.
Jenkin is survived by his wife, Erma; two sons, Tom (Edna) Palmer of Malad and Stanley (Janice) Palmer of Idaho Falls; seven grandchildren: Travis (Andrea), Ernest, David, Jeremy, Scott, Heather, and Sarah; one greatgrandchild, Justin; a sister, Kathryn Pearl of Great Neck, New York; a foster son, Sherm (Nancene) Facer of Layton, Utah; a stepson, Gary (Kathy) Evans, American Fork, Utah; a stepdaughter, Sharon (Ren) Jensen, Fort Collins, Colorado; eight step-grandchildren and 18 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Ernest David.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 4 at the Malad LDS 4th Ward Church. Burial was in the Malad City Cemetery. The family has requested contributions to the University of Idaho Vandaleers Choir be sent to the U.S. Bank, 24 East 50 South, Malad, Idaho 83252, in care of Edna Palmer.