Bert F. Withers, 83, of Rexburg passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at Madison Memorial Hospital. He was born August 25, 1932, to Frederick Richard and Lucy Lee Withers in Hibbard, Idaho. He was raised in the Hibbard Salem area and lived for a short time in Garland, Utah when he was a boy. He graduated from Sugar Salem High School and later attended Idaho Falls Vo-Tech College.

He married his high school sweetheart, Valene Fullmer, on February 14, 1951. They had four children; Jana Lee, Michael Bert, Ned F., and Susan.


Bert operated the family farm, worked as the Master Mechanic at U & I Sugar Company, was employed by Ferguson Lab as Maintenance Supervisor, and later held the same position with Melaleuca Inc. until the time of his retirement. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Salem Irrigation Canal Company.


He enjoyed many hours of fishing and camping. Bert loved horses. He helped organized the Upper Valley Wranglers posse and the first Whoopee Days Rodeo in Rexburg. He was also instrumental in creating the rodeo grounds and the race track where he helped organize and participated in cutter racing. He was a talented welder and did many favors for friends with that special talent. He also enjoyed being a member and participating in the Idaho Falls Elks Club.


He is survived by his wife Valene of Salem; children, Jana Lee Wolfley (Tony) of Thayne, Wyoming, Michael (Jill) of Sugar City, Idaho, and Susan Lott (Jerry) of Newdale, Idaho; ten grandchildren and twenty seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wesley of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Lee (Ritta) of Kennewick, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers; Keith, Burl, Dale, George, Ellis, and a sister Verla.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. There will be no visitation prior to services. Interment will be in the Rexburg Cemetery.