LaRue Y. McKnight-Packard, 90, was born in Nampa, Idaho, July 18, 1925, to Ernest and Luzean Yorgason. She was the last of four children, sisters Alta and Elinor, and brother Eldon. From an early age, her life centered on music and eventually as proficiency increased, teaching at Winther's Music Studio. She graduated from Nampa High School, Class of 1943. LaRue married Scott S. McKnight in the Logan LDS Temple in 1946, for time and eternity. They began their life together in Melba, Idaho where they farmed and three children were born. Terry, Linda and Randy. In 1959, after purchasing the family homestead from Scott's parents, Joe & Gertrude McKnight, they moved their family to the corner of Amity and Happy Valley Road in Nampa. This began a 30 year effort to make their corner "blossom like a rose". In 1961, a son, Bart was born. LaRue worked as a clerk at Nampa's City Hall. She played violin with several symphonic groups and the Boise Philharmonic. She loved singing as well, in quartet and choral groups. She later worked as a finance clerk and bookkeeper for Yorgason and Smith Accounting and later Consumer's Market. In 1971, Scott & LaRue purchased Durobilt Generator Company later known as Scotty's Generator Company and currently known as Durobilt. In 1984, Scott & LaRue were called to be temple workers in the Boise LDS Temple and in 1994 served a mission call at the LDS Temple Square in Salt Lake City, returning 18 months later to work again in the Boise LDS Temple for a short time. Scott passed away in 2006, after which LaRue became reacquainted with Larry Packard, a friend from her high school years and in 2010, they were married in the Mesa LDS Temple. She lived in Arizona until Larry's death in 2013, and then returned to her home in Nampa. She lived the last three years sharing her home with her son, Randy, caring for each other and enjoying each other's companionship. Complications from a fall and broken hip brought her back into the arms of the Savior on Saturday, January 16, 2016. LaRue is survived by: a daughter-in-law Debra Gibson McKnight of Boise, daughter Linda McKnight Henry of Walla-Walla, WA, son Randy McKnight of Nampa, son Bart McKnight & daughter-in-law Alane Law McKnight of Nampa; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and her extensive adopted Packard family. She was preceded in death by her husband Scott McKnight and husband Larry Packard; her son Terry Lynn McKnight; parents Earnest & Luzean Yorgason; her brother Eldon and his wife Norma; sister Alta and her husband George Fuhriman; and sister Elinor, and her husband Owen Fuhriman. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 23, at the Nampa Eleventh Ward LDS Chapel, 121 N. Canyon Road in Nampa. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 22 at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd in Nampa (467-7300) and at the church from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Condolences may be expressed at zeyerfuneralchapel.com.
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