Rex Albrethsen, of Bovill, Idaho, passed away Oct. 13, 2009. He was born to Sibil and Alex Albrethsen on Sept. 18, 1918, in Carey, Idaho.
Rex was raised on a ranch near Carey. He was a full-fledged farm hand by age 10. Rex graduated from Carey High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Rice, on April 8, 1939. Rex and Gladys bought a home and raised their four children in Carey.
In 1944, during World War II, Rex joined the Marine Corps. He was stationed in Guam until the war ended.
Rex worked as an automobile mechanic before leaving Carey in 1959. He then spent many years working as a heavy equipment mechanic for road construction crews. He worked for Duffy Reed Co. and MacGregor Triangle Co. prior to working for and retiring from Anderson and Wood Construction. Rex was an accomplished mechanic and was well known for his intuitive ability to make difficult repairs.
Rex and Gladys lived many places during the course of his work with these companies. They lived in all of the Western states, including Alaska. Prior to retirement, Rex worked in Saipan, which allowed him to show Gladys where he served during the war. They retired to Bovill in 1990, yet continued to spend the winter months in Arizona or California until 1998.
Rex enjoyed working in his garden and was especially proud of his yearly yield of potatoes and tomatoes. He enjoyed working outside and was always willing to help his neighbors with repairs.
Rex also had a knack for storytelling. He had a delightful sense of humor and enjoyed sharing stories of his life with his family and friends.
His wife and a grandson, Craig Albrethsen, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Anthony and Joanne of Junction City, Ore.; son and daughter-in-law Mack and Sherry of Pleasant Grove, Utah; daughters Sherry Powell of Bovill and Myrna Albrethsen of Portland, Ore.; brother and sister-in-law Dee and Roma of Pocatello, Idaho; brother and sister-in-law Gordon and Eleene of San Marcos, Calif; sister and brother-in-law Betty and Jerry Swinnerton of Richland, Wash.; and sister and brother-in-law Mary and Dude Green of Carey. He leaves 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. His cousins, nieces and nephews also will miss him.
A viewing will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the LDS Church, 715 Scott St., Troy. The service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Bovill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the LDS missionary fund.
