Nathan Lavern Yearsley

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Nathan L. Yearsley, 85, of Rigby, peacefully passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025. Nate was born on February 19, 1940, to Ruthinda Yearsley in Malad, Idaho. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, Julia Ann Yearsley, in Malad. Nate had a very adventurous childhood to say the least. Nathan has always been a jokester and was lucky to have survived to adulthood. He attended elementary through high school in Malad, and lettered in all five sports available. Nate loved the outdoors and spent countless hours in the local mountains.

After graduating from Malad High School in 1958, he attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, with an athletic scholarship in football and basketball. Nate had a strong desire to continue his education and after a severe knee injury he joined the Air Force to earn money. He graduated from meteorology training in the Air Force and served in Morocco. Nathan was on the Air Force base's basketball team which gave him the opportunity to visit Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany. Nathan also served on various bases Stateside.

After his honorable release, Nate was called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Great Lakes Mission. He faithfully served and made a big impression on those he served with and taught. Nate served with one sister that impressed him very much, Sister Ann Newman. After their missions they met again at a mission reunion, and the following day invited her to go to General Conference with him. This began a long-distance courtship that led to marriage in July 1966, in the Idaho Falls Temple.

They moved to Provo and Nate attended BYU and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, and in 1971 with a Master's in Health Science while serving in a bishopric, working at the university, and supporting his wife and four oldest daughters. He was hired at Ricks College and the family moved to Rigby, Idaho, where they would have four additional children. Nate taught at Ricks College (later BYU-Idaho) for 36 years in the health science department and also was the head athletic trainer. In 1988, he earned his Doctorate of Education with an emphasis in Physical Education - Sports from BYU. Nathan’s job gave him many opportunities to travel to different conventions across the country. He was awarded many different awards both at the district and national level for athletic training with the National Athletic Training Association. Nate was also appointed to the Idaho State Board of Medicine by Governor Cecil Andrus. Nathan was a great influence on the many students and athletes he worked with.

Nate was very active in his service to the Church. He served in six bishoprics and served as bishop of the Rigby 1st and 7th Wards. Nathan was also a high councilman, ward and stake mission leader, young men's president, high priests’ group leader to name a few. Nate loved working in the Idaho Falls Temple with Ann for many years. They also served as missionaries in Palmyra, New York, at church historic sites in that area.

Nathan’s greatest accomplishment was being a loving husband and father. All six of his daughters and two sons served full time missions and were married in the temple.

Nate was preceded in death by his grandson, Jared Merrill, in October 2024.

Nathan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ann Yearsley; children: Natalie (Steve) Mueller, Dianna (Weston) Myers, Chari (Tim) Page, Juliann Parker, Jan (Steve) Merrill, Kevin (Lindy) Yearsley, Jonathan (Janil) Yearsley and Heidi (Charlie) Mower; 35 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A viewing for friends and family will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 pm at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby, and Monday, October 6, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (258 W 1st N Rigby, Idaho). Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Interment and military honors will follow at the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery in Ririe, Idaho.