Michael J Nef

Michael J Nef was born January 13, 1950, in Rexburg, Idaho. His parents, Darrell J Nef and Verna May Bates Nef took their infant son home to their ranch near Leadore, Idaho. Mike spent the next eighteen years growing up on the ranch nestled at the foot of the mountains. His days were filled with riding horses, herding cows, milking, and a myriad of other chores necessary to keep a ranch functioning. He attended the Leadore School for all twelve grades. He played basketball and ran cross country and track. For his training, he would often run the eight miles from school to his home so he could arrive before the bus. That way he had more time to help his father on the ranch.

After graduation, Mike attended a year at Ricks College, and then served a two-year mission in Argentina and Bolivia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ten months of those two years were spent in the high mountain tops of Bolivia where the elevation was over 17,000 feet.

At the close of his mission, Mike attended a second year at Ricks, graduating in May 1972 with his Associate in Industrial arts. That fall, he decided to return to college for another semester. Just before the semester began, he met Karla Cook at church when she was visiting relatives on her way to Ricks. He followed up on that meeting and the couple were sealed in the Logan LDS temple on January 19, 1973.

Over the next several years, Mike worked as a rancher, water master, farmer, salesman, electrician, carpenter, and cabinet maker. From these jobs, he learned many skills which he used throughout his life to help his family and others. In 1987, he went to work at Ricks College in their carpenter shop. He was there for the transition to BYU-I and was employed for a total of twenty years. Since retiring, he continued to do use his skills to build decks, sheds, and perform a myriad of other handyman jobs. He also loved helping his children and other family members remodel and upgrade their homes.

Mike was active in his church and held several Scouting positions. He also volunteered as a member of the District Cub Scout Roundtable Committee. During the last six years, Mike particularly enjoyed attending LDS temples, both locally and further afield.

Family was very important to Mike. He was blessed with eight children, five boys and three girls: W. Trent Nef, Rodney Nef, Lorna Vance, Todd Nef, Devin Nef, Trudy Petroff, Tiffany Maughan, and Trevor Nef. When they were young, Mike loved taking his family camping, skiing, hunting, and hiking. With his children, he was able to climb the Grand Teton five times, the Middle fourteen times, and the South three times. He also climbed Mt. Borah twice, Gunsight three times, and Diamond Peak several times. The highlight of his hiking experiences was two years ago when he went on a three-day backpacking trip with two sons, a daughter, and a granddaughter. And, although his gait was much slower, he went on a three-mile hike with two sons and a grandson just this past September.

Mike was always a hard worker. He was willing to work odd jobs before and after his workdays at the college. This extra income gave his children the gift of having their mother stay at home with them as they were growing up. Mike, with the help of his wife, built the house they have lived in for 33 years, two spec houses, and a duplex. The duplex was completed in 2021. He has also flipped three houses and has done many remodel jobs for others.

For the last eighteen months, Mike has battled cancer. However, he didn’t let it slow him down as he continued to spend time with his family, traveled to Church History sites, and took a dream vacation to Alaska. Finally, on December 13, 2025, Mike’s tired body succumbed to the dreaded disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Barbara Thompson. He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Karla, all eight of his children, thirty-seven grandchildren (with one more on the way), and three great-granddaughters. Although Mike will be missed, he leaves a great legacy of faith and repentance.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-North Boulevard Ward, located at 955 Memorial Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. A viewing will be held Thursday evening also at the church from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and prior to the service Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.