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Obituary

Maurice Webber

Maurice Richard Webber passed away Sept. 1, 2022, surrounded by family in Rigby, Idaho. Maurice was born Aug. 30, 1928, to Martha Hagemann and Hubert Louis Webber in Wibaux, Montana. He was the oldest of five children, Maurice, Kenneth, Delores, LeRoy, and Gladys. When he was 6 years old, he had to move to town to receive an education. 

Maurice often spoke of his adventures growing up in Montana, breaking horses and herding cattle on the Boulder in Big Timber. He graduated from Park High School in Livingston, Montana and went to Montana State University in Bozeman. 

The Korean War started, and he joined the army and served from 1951 to 1953. He was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington. He made lifelong friends in the military and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Once out of the military, Maurice attended Brigham Young University and met Renata Pace. They were married September 21, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1956 Maurice graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry. They later moved to Michigan where Maurice helped run a large farm for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Their first son Calvin was born on February 14,1958. On July 24, 1958, they were involved in a life altering car accident that resulted in the death of Calvin. Maurice and Renata went back to Brigham Young University. Maurice got his teaching credential and Renata also graduated in Education. They went on to have six more children. Maurice was an educator in the public school system in Montpelier and Malad, Idaho, The Dalles, Oregon, and Toppenish, Washington. 

After his divorce, he moved to Arizona. Maurice always kept his love of farming and ranching. He loved to farm and even in his later years would find joy in raising chickens, cows, and horses.

He was always looking for ways to serve. He later moved to Ronan, Montana where he lived next to his sister Gladys. He worked well into his 92nd year serving at the “Ronan Bread Basket” (food bank). He loved to cook for friends and family and always would have a meal prepared if someone was coming to visit. 

In his last few years, he suffered from Dementia. Even with his memory struggles he continued to enjoy drives to see cows and horses and would work whenever there was an opportunity. Outings often concluded with his favorite treat, ice cream. 

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was laid to rest next to Calvin and Renata in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Maurice is survived by his sister Gladys (Gene) Leafty and his children Benjamin (Yudith) Webber, Catherine Pratt, William (Helen) Webber, Grant Webber, Miryam (Rolf) Wuerch, and Paul (Stephanie) Webber, along with his 38 grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Kenneth, Delores, and Leroy, his son Calvin, and his granddaughter Brook and his great-grandson Kal-el.

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