Melvena Staley Richards, 88, of Egin, passed away at her home surrounded by family on October 4, 2023.
She was born at the family home in Egin, Idaho on November 6, 1934 to Ira Urban Staley and Lucille Marie Johnson Staley. She brought much joy to her family when she was born. Three brothers had been born before her and only one of them had survived, Ronald, who was three years old.  Two years later, her only sister Janice was born.
Melvena loved living on the family farm.  Her parents were hard workers and there was always something going on. She learned how to raise a beautiful garden at a young age.  She continued that tradition the whole rest of her life.
She was allowed to start Egin Grade School two months before she turned 6 years old. Only one other girl was allowed to start school that early.  In August, just before she was going into second grade, her mother passed away after surgery. She was heart broken. Her Grandma Johnson, who Melvena dearly loved, came and took care of the family for awhile. In the summer she would go stay with her Grandma Johnson in Montana. Many neighbors and hired nannies took care of the children. They finally adjusted to their life. Three years later, her father married Flora Statham.  Melvena loved Flora's many children and they called her their little sister.
She graduated from Edmunds School after 8th grade.  She then moved on to South Fremont High School. She loved it there. Her father passed away when she was 16 years old. She missed him very much. Her stepmother moved them to Rexburg her senior year and she graduated from Madison High School in 1952. She attended Cosmetology School and graduated in Idaho Falls. After she was married, she had a beauty salon in her home.
One night, she went to a dance at the Armory in St. Anthony. That night she met Bill Richards. He was a good dancer and they had a great time. They started dating and were married July 31, 1953 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They continued dancing through their marriage as they joined a square dance group and the Holiday Dance Club. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this last July.
They had six children that her and Bill raised on the farm. She was a devoted mother and wife. Her family was her most prized possession.  She was an amazing cook and shared many of her delicious meals with family members, friends, and neighbors. She was a wonderful seamstress and sewed most of the clothes her children wore throughout their growing up years.
You couldn't tell that they were homemade. Her stitches were perfectly straight. She was a true example of love, charity and kindness. A devoted mom who made taking care of her family her number one priority.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served as  Primary President, in several Relief Society presidencies, on the Stake Relief Society Board and many years as Compassionate Service Leader. She loved all the many friends she made
through these callings.
She is survived by her husband Bill,  children, Teresa (Weston) Klingler, Kevin, Todd (Julie), Tammy (Max) Egbert, Daris and Jared. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Ronald Staley and her sister, Janice Birch.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Egin Bench LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. both times at the Egin Church. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.

Funeral services will be live-streamed and may be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/cXJ7Ura5ajs