Vance Elmer Ward

Mar 25, 1948 — Jul 2, 2026

Arbon, ID – Vance Elmer Ward beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother passed away on July 2, 2026.

Vance was born in Malad Idaho on March 25, 1948. He was the second of five children born to Elmer Vance and Edith Jones Ward. He grew up splitting time between Malad and Arbon, creating many memories with cousins and grandparents.

He graduated from Malad high school in 1967 and married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Harrison on April 11, 1968. They were later sealed in the Logan, Utah LDS temple. They made their home in Arbon, Idaho where they were blessed with five children. Vance enjoyed the hard work of farming and ranching. Vance and JoAnn bought their first stud in the early 80’s. This started the beginning of Ward Quarter horses. He found joy in studying the genetics of his horses, finding the best qualities for his herd.

He discovered a thrill for speed and snowmobiles. He was very successful at oval snowmobile track racing. When racing snowmobiles, he got tired of stressing out over the next new thing coming out. He started Ward Ski-doo so he could get the quickest information on the latest models and started selling and servicing snowmobiles.

His two favorite seasons were harvest and hunting season. As a fourth-generation farmer, he farmed with his brother Darrel and two of his sons, Shawn and Larin. He especially looked forward to harvest time and running the combines. He was still running the combines up until last year.

In hunting season Vance was able to tag out every year. He loved the challenge of a long distance shot and once shot an elk at 1,150 yards.

He was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where he served in many callings. He had a deep love for his Savior and helped instill this principle in his children.

His greatest joy and love in life was his family. He left a legacy of 19 grandkids and 17 great grandkids with 2 on the way. He is survived by his wife JoAnn Ward, Wendy Ward (daughter in law) Shawn Ward, Larin (Jessica) Ward, Heather (Matt) Casper, Jessi (Zach) Tarbet.

He is preceded in death by his son Troy Ward, his parents Elmer and Edith Ward, his sister Linda Davis, Brother in law Ken Davis, two son in laws (Jared and Kevin), and two daughter in laws (Lyndell and Shawnta).

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Portneuf LDS Church at 8200 W. Portneuf Road, Pocatello, ID 83204. Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. and again prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m.