Ernest Kendall Yorgason

Ernest Kendall Yorgason

Sept. 13, 1933 - Dec. 10, 2021

Ernest Kendall Yorgason, loving father, grandfather, brother and husband, passed away Dec. 10, 2021, at the age of 88 in Preston, Idaho. He died from complications due to congestive heart failure. Kendall was born Sept. 13, 1933, in Basin, Wyo., to Joseph Alonzo Yorgason and Dorothy Elena Borden Yorgason. Kendall grew up in Burlington and Otto and was a lifelong resident of the area until moving to Preston, Idaho, in 2007. 

Kendall grew up helping with the family livestock operation and working on the farm raising feed for the sheep and cattle. Kendall loved his horses and working with the livestock, which he pursued until moving to Idaho.  

Kendall was always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a mission for the church to the Hawaiian Islands from 1954 to 1956. After returning home from his mission, he met the love of his life, VeLoy Griffin. They were married for time and all eternity on June 18, 1957, in the Idaho Falls temple. Kendall and VeLoy had three sons: Jay Griffin Yorgason of Billings, Mont., Scott Griffin Yorgason of Greybull, Wyo., and Brent Griffin Yorgason of Otto, Wyo. Later, Glenn Sorte of Kaysville, Utah, joined the family during his high school years.  

Kendall was known for his Christmas tree sales for many years, which he harvested on the Yorgason property in the Big Horn Mountains above Ten Sleep. Kendall loved the Big Horn Mountains, hunting and fishing. He guided hunters from numerous places on the mountain land. One of his hunting friends from Tennessee brought out a portable sawmill. They harvested down timber and built a large cabin, which VeLoy designed.  

VeLoy passed away Dec. 29, 1997. In 1999, he married his earthly companion Mary Anne McGuire. After moving to Idaho, Kendall raised huge gardens and spent many hours at the Preston senior center volunteering, working and socializing. He was a board member for many years until his recent passing.  

Kendall is survived by his sons, Glenn Sorte (Kathy) of Kaysville, Utah, Jay Yorgason (Barbara) of Billings, Mont., Scott Yorgason (Lois) of Greybull, Wyo., Brent Yorgason of Otto, Wyo.; wife Mary Anne Yorgason of Preston, Idaho; grandchildren Kristen, Sean, Kirk, Stephanie, Eric and Nicole, along with 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Leland Yorgason of Perry, Utah; sisters Lorelle (Bill) Hall of St. George, Utah and Sandra Perrier of St. George, Utah. He had special nieces Ann Nix of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Susan Yorgason of Perry, Utah. 

Funeral services were held Dec. 14, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the 10th ward chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Preston, Idaho.