Arnell Jepsen

Elden Arnell Jepsen, 81, of Pocatello, Idaho, died June 8, 2025 at Quinn Meadows Rehabilitation and Care Center of natural causes.

He was born on April 24, 1944 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Elden and Roberta Jepsen. On November 12, 1971, he married Marilyn Eslinger Ihler.

Arnell had many self-taught skills, making him a very qualified handy man as it seems there was nothing he could not do. He was somewhat a perfectionist as he ensured his finished work was done right and looked good.

He had worked hard all of his life. Aside from family farm work, his early years included working at Millers Bakery and then doing milk and bread deliveries up to Arco, ID with his father. He worked at Zweigart Packing Corporation and then at the Simplot Don Plant where he spent 26 years before retiring in 2002.

He also performed construction work on homes including remodeling his children’s homes. He also trained hunting dogs, shod and broke horses, welded, and did mechanical work.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many positions including Scoutmaster, High Councilman, Counselor in a Bishopric, Stake Mission Leader, and President of the St. Anthony Place Branch (Retirement) in the Pocatello, ID East Stake. Arnell and Marilyn served two service missions together in Pocatello. He was very service oriented and would always help anyone that was in need.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and he spent most of his free time outdoors in all seasons of the year. Many associate Arnell as being a tough guy as he hunted old school ways on horseback and without all the modern-day equipment. He pursued all kinds of game, from mountain lions, to geese on ice, to upland birds, to fish in Alaska, and to big game in remote mountains.

He shot trap for many years and traveled to various regional locations to participate in competitions. He also loved camping with his family which generally involved hunting and fishing as well. He enjoyed watching bull riding, rodeos and Lawrence Welk reruns. He enjoyed reading western and mystery novels as well as history and religious books.

Arnell’s family was everything to him. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, of Pocatello, ID; his five children and their (spouses), Jenelle Thueson (David) of Tetonia, ID, Brandon Ihler (Melanie) of Pocatello, ID, Travis Ihler of Idaho Falls, ID, Cory Ihler (Angela) of Malad, ID, and Shawn Jepsen (Rebecca) of Pocatello, ID; and his brother, Roger LaDell Jepsen, of Mountain Home, ID. Arnell is also survived 23 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Elden Andrew Jepsen; his mother, Roberta Elvira Martin; and his sister, Clariel Ann Morris Jepsen.

A viewing will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 6-8 pm at Wilks Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:00 am at the LDS Century Ward building, 2271 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID, with a viewing from 10-10:45 am prior. Bishop Lance Gunter will be officiating. Burial will follow at the Inkom Cemetery, Inkom, ID.

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