Kenneth B Rees

Bicknell, Utah - Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor: Ken Rees passed peacefully from this life on October 5th, 2015 at his home in Bicknell, Utah with his loving wife and children by his side. Born in Loa, Utah on January 4th, 1924 to Brigham and Viola Rees, he is the 3rd child of 4; one brother, Spencer, and 2 sisters, Rhoda and Nola Myrl. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Loyia Torgerson in May of 1943 in the Manti Temple and was serving his Uncle Sam in the US Navy less than a month later. He was drafted into the hospital corps school, completed his medic training and was shipped off to war in the Pacific Theater. On Midway Island in an underground operating room or at Pearl Harbor hospital is where most of his time was spent. He discharged after his service as pharmacist mate 3rd class. Most of his working life was in the timber business. He loved being in the mountains and being his own boss. He owned and operated the Torgerson sawmill east of town for years. He actually hauled anything from logs, to turkeys to potatoes. His ‘handle’ on the CB radio was “the woodpecker”. For ten years Ken was County Commissioner and served on the rural health advisory board. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Wayne County Clinic. He sat in leadership positions of the ‘Six County organization’. He made many life-long friends in this capacity. He could, and would visit with anyone. He had a special way about him that was accepting and loving. He made us laugh often and he always loved to hear a new joke – or tell one. He loved helping others. He was a scout leader for several years and he served in church callings. He and his wife had assignment in the Manti Temple for 14 years. They loved this service and enjoyed the continued friendship of those they met and served with. Ken loved to be going someplace and having fun. He and Loyia were often gone on some adventure. Many times in the 5th wheel, sometimes on 4wheelers, sometimes with friends and/or family, many times just the two of them. They truly loved each other and showed it every day of their lives. He is survived by his wife Loyia Rees of Bicknell, children Gaylen Rees (Nancy) of Grover, Kathleen King of Bicknell, Deann Frazier of Bountiful, Lynell Rees of Bountiful, McKay Rees of Aurora, and Connie Rees of Syracuse. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren as well as his 2 sisters and brother-in-law, Rhoda Magleby of Kennewick, Washington, and Nola Myrl (Ted) Christensen of American Fork. A sister-in-law, Luzenia Rees of Salem. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother Spencer Rees, a brother-in-law Burns Magleby, a daughter-in-law Sandra N. Rees, a son-in-law Ronald Blackburn, and two grandsons Billy Jeffery, and Gerald Rees. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 17th in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel 190 N 200 E Bicknell, Utah. Friends may call for viewing prior to services from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., or on Friday, October 16th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Springer Turner Funeral Home 260 North 400 West, Richfield, Utah. Internment with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92, and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.