![]() ![]() Larry always said that he employed some really talented cowboys who were actually cowgirls! After many 3-day family cattle drives, with Stacee & Shellee horseback & Heidi on a motorcycle, the cow/calf pairs summer-pastured at Pole Creek, high up on Elk Mountain overlooking Nevada’s breath-taking Ruby Valley.Īs a young man, Larry’s first love of farming was developed & demonstrated by relentless work ethic, natural ability for mechanics & challenging heavy equipment operation all enhancing his multitude of farming achievements.Īs a renowned potato farmer, Larry was thrice awarded the Idaho Potato Farmer of the Year. The cattle grazed on 11,000 deeded acres & 40,000 BLM acres on the high desert of Marshall Butte, Coonskin Butte, Signal Butte & Black Butte in south-west Idaho. ![]() Larry managed a 3000 head band of sheep & 1200 head of cattle while farming 600 home acres & a 300 acre dryland farm parallel to the “17 mile” road near Three Creek. Furthermore, he emotionally & financially supported Marcella’s return to ISU to finish her earlier educational endeavor to obtain a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. ![]() Larry sent his 3 daughters to college to assure their independence as adults. Soon enough, Stacee & Shellee were driving the big trucks “up-country” to Black Butte with horses to “cowboy” for the day. He educated them in crop production & they mastered machinery operation including hay swathers, hay balers & corn cultivators. Larry’s goals were teaching his daughters the enduring values of family, honesty, work ethic, animal husbandry & stewardship of the land. In early years of fatherhood, Larry was devoted to his children with Heidi frequently napping on his lap as Stacee & Shellee hopped in his truck for a ride-along as he managed the farm & drove the daily 40 mile round trip to the desert checking water troughs & the well-being of the cow/calf herd. When his parents retired to the West Coast, Larry’s operation became Desert Rose Ranch, Inc. Larry successfully operated the ranch as he & Marcella raised three daughters: Stacee, Shellee and Heidi on the Heil Land & Livestock Ranch where Larry was dedicated to fulfilling his Dad’s dream of building an “empire”. Larry exuded great pride moving his bride from a small Eagle farm on the Boise River to the vast, desolate high desert region of the Roseworth Tract beginning an adventurous partnership of 58 years. They were married in December 1965, in the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise. Marcella described their chance meeting as an instant attraction likely fueled by Larry’s dark good looks, daring demeanor, & propensity to brag but softened by his obvious kind and gentle spirit. In 1964, Larry met Marcella Hedberg on a blind-date for ISU’s Homecoming. Eventually, Larry drove himself to school safely navigating the one-lane gravel road across the gorgeous but treacherous Lily Grade over Salmon Falls Creek with sheer drop-off cliffs of several hundred feet along most of the route.Īfter 1962 graduation from Castleford High, Larry enrolled at Idaho State University (ISU) & pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon. In his 6th grade, she began driving him & his sister 12 miles to school in Castleford. Larry’s mother drove him in a vintage Packard hearse to the one-room school he attended in Roseworth. ![]() He grew up with his older sister, Julia, on a farm & ranch located on the Roseworth tract where he lived for 62 years. Larry’s parents immigrated from Russia via Germany to the US in the 1920’s. Larry was born on Augto Lawrence & LaVaun Heil in Buhl, Idaho. Thankfully, Larry lived his final days in his own home with Shadow (“Shabadosie”), his loyal companion dog faithfully by his side. Larry Chester Heil, 78, of Gooding, Idaho, formerly of Roseworth, departed from his earthly journey on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in the arms of his loving family as they shared their love and gratitude. ![]()
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