Kenneth (Ken) Wayne Wyler

Kenneth (Ken) Wayne Wyler, 71, died of colon cancer on January 19, 2023, at his home in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He died peacefully with his wife and family members by his side.

He wrote the following obituary:

Ken was born in Salt Lake City on February 21, 1951, to Wayne Edward Wyler and Wanda Ricks Wyler. A year later his family moved to Provo. When Kenneth was 14, his father was offered a position teaching accounting at Eastern Illinois University, a town of about 20,000 located in Charleston, Illinois. His family sold their Provo home, loaded up an oversized trailer with most of their belongings, and traveled cross country to Charleston. For someone who had never been west of Colorado, Ken found this to be somewhat of an adventure. For the next 4 years, Ken attended Charleston High School, graduating in 1969. A memorable experience during those years was helping his father and brothers build a new family home in Charleston.

Following high school, Kenneth attended for one quarter at Eastern Illinois University before transferring to Brigham Young University in Provo. He had several different majors before ultimately deciding on social work. At BYU he also met and married LeNora Willis, his sweetheart and best friend, in the Provo LDS Temple. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this coming June.

After graduating from BYU, Ken and LeNora moved to Salt Lake City where Ken attended the University of Utah and received a Masters of Social Work degree. Following graduation, he received a job offer as a Social Worker at School District 91 in Idaho Falls. Initially, he covered 6 elementary schools, 1 junior high and one high school. Later District 91 adopted an elementary school counselor program, and the social workers were absorbed into that program. Ken worked for the school district for 36 years, the last 19 years as a counselor at Fox Hollow Elementary. At a school board meeting in Oct. 2008, he was presented the “Emissary of Excellence” award for “Outstanding service to School District #91”, an award given to a few employees each year.

During many of his years at School District 91, Ken was very involved in the Idaho Falls Education Association (IFEA). He assisted with a number of teacher negotiations and was twice elected President of the IFEA.

Ken and LeNora were blessed with 4 children, two boys and two girls. They were a joy in Ken and LeNora’s life. There was also deep sorrow when Jennifer (Jennie), the oldest of the children, died of injuries suffered in a car accident. Jennie, age 17, was driving back from Rigby when someone ran a stop sign and collided with her car.

In later years, Ken and LeNora enjoyed traveling. In addition to traveling within the US, over the years they visited over 30 different countries. Particularly memorable were two mission experiences: a short-term service mission with the Idaho Falls Trinity Methodist Church in Nicaragua where they worked in a rural school. Shortly thereafter Ken and his wife left to serve an LDS mission to Cambodia. In Cambodia, Ken and LeNora worked with the PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) program—a program designed to help post-high school students obtain the education and training necessary to find meaningful work and better paying jobs.

Originally Ken and LeNora were scheduled to serve in Cambodia for 18 months. Unfortunately, that service was reduced to 1 year after Ken’s back surgery in Hong Kong resulted in the discovery of metastatic thyroid cancer. Treatment at Huntsman in Salt Lake City stabilized this cancer. But 8 years later Ken developed colon cancer which eventually took his life.

In retirement, Ken, with the support and help of his wife, enjoyed landscaping and maintaining his yard. The yard, which started as a blank slate with rocks and clay soil, became more of a retreat as the soil was improved and a pergola, patio, flower garden with an arbor and brick pathway, fountains, trees, annuals and perennials were added.

Ken also became proficient with tile installation in his later years. Ever the perfectionist, he tore out and retiled three of their home’s bathrooms. While the end result was professional, LeNora at times was frustrated with the months some of the projects took. Such was the price of perfection.

Throughout his life, Ken was an active and committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Over the years he served in many church callings. Ken had a strong belief in and love for his Savior.

Ken is survived by his wife, LeNora; three of his children: David (Debbie) Wyler of Meridian, Idaho, Amanda (Jason) Andrews of Idaho Falls, and Steven Wyler of Dallas, Texas; and six awesome grandchildren: Ethan, Hannah, Abby, Julianne, Samuel, and Briana. Additional survivors included his brothers: Dale, Grant (Janine), and Rich (Janet); his sisters: Karen (Mark), and Carolyn (Ken); and numerous nieces and nephews.

On his death, Ken was looking forward to a reunion with friends and family who had passed on before, including his parents, grandparents, and daughter Jennie.

Ken, who seemed to have a sense of humor in just about everything, was looking forward to what he may be asked to do to keep busy in the afterlife. He was looking forward to helping maintain heavenly gardens in a weed-free environment. He doubted, however, that there would be much of a demand for tiled bathrooms.

We would like to thank….Teton Cancer Institute, Dr. Vance, One Source Hospice, ministering people, and others who provided so much support over years. They have been a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Humanitarian Organization.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am., January 28, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church building at 5255 South 5th West, Idaho Falls. Services will be broadcast live at Facebook.com/Coltrinmortuary. The family will meet with friends from 6-8:00 pm, January 27, 2023, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church. The interment will be at Ammon cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.