Dewey Floyd Furness

Dewey Floyd Furness, 90, of Sugar City, Idaho, passed away October 9, 2024, at The Homestead Assisted Living in St. Anthony.

He was born on July 31, 1934, in Teton, Idaho, to Floyd and Gladys Bessie Birch Furness. Dewey had two younger siblings, Noreen and K. He spent his younger years in Teton and Victor before settling in Sugar City at age 12. Dewey was a true academian. He graduated from Sugar-Salem High School in 1952, and Ricks College in 1956, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. Following his mission, he did graduate studies at Brigham Young University for a year and earned a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Utah State University in 1963.

He met Vicky Haderlie while attending USU, and they were married on June 24, 1964, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. Vicky was a very accomplished musician, and Dewey gained a great appreciation for classical music and the arts. Together they assured music played a large role in their home and with their children. Dewey was grateful for Vicky’s talents, supporting her in her endeavors, and appreciated the consummate homemaker, wife, and mother that she was.

Dewey’s teaching career began with him teaching at the Church College of Hawaii, now BYU-Hawaii. He then taught at Eastern Montana College in Billings and the University of Minnesota Duluth, before moving back to his hometown of Sugar City in 1969, where he was a mathematics professor at Ricks College from 1969 to 1999. He also taught night classes for a number of years at Idaho State University, concluding his teaching career several years later. He loved to travel to math conventions and conferences where he held positions in professional organizations, and his association with colleagues brought him much joy.

Dewey was a very hard worker. Along with being a college professor, Dewey was also a talented carpenter. He would often work a secondary job as such in the summer, and provided hours of service for family and friends. Following the Teton Dam Flood in June 1976, Dewey completely renovated their home, one of few left standing in Sugar City. He was an expert handyman, able to fix most things inside or outside, and had a knack for working on automobiles.

Dewey was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a 2 1/2 year mission on the small South Pacific island of Niue from 1956-1958. He served as branch president and developed a life long love for the islands, the Polynesian people, and the rich culture. He served in various callings throughout his life. He served for many years as ward clerk and was a committed home teacher, readily willing to serve those in need. After retirement, Dewey and Vicky served in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg Temples for a number of years, as well as serving a service mission in the Upper Snake River Valley.

Dewey lived in Sugar City most of his life, and loved the beauty and people of Southeastern Idaho. He couldn’t wait to return permanently and purchased the family home in 1969, where he and Vicky have lived ever since. He enjoyed being in the beautiful outdoors – gardening, skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, and four-wheeling with family and friends. He was a life long learner and an avid reader – learning through the written word as well as through experiential learning. He enjoyed traveling, and had the opportunity to travel throughout the islands of the Pacific as well as most of the United States, Central America, and Europe.

Family was a priority for Dewey, and he had great appreciation for them – both immediate and extended, and he spent many hours visiting with and serving them. He would light up when the grandchildren came around and loved to read to them. He taught his family many life lessons through word and example. As a child of the Great Depression, he stressed the importance of wise money management (needs verses wants), work before play, and he practiced what he preached.

Dewey is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vicky Furness of Sugar City, ID; and his children, Rozanne (Corey) Sellers of Orem, UT, Donna (Douglas) McBride of Sugar City, ID, Karalee (Kyle) Pettit of Highland, UT, Greg (Jennie) Furness of Dallas, TX, and Todd (Sara) Furness of Lehi, UT; 18 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; and his younger brother, K (Raymonda) Furness of Newdale, ID.

Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Glady Furness; step-mother, Bethene Blatter Furness; and two sisters, Noreen Pincock and Sheron Rock.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Sugar City Gray Church (6 North Teton) in Sugar City. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services, both times at the church. Interment will be in the Sugar City Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be sent to www.woodfuneralhome.com.