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# Ken's Dreams: Star Valley and Beyond

The story of Sharon, Kim, and Bryan is a testament to the enduring power of love, commitment, and resilience. It is a story of facing adversity with courage and grace, of finding strength in family and faith, and of cherishing the moments that make life meaningful.

As the Humpherys family continued to navigate the complexities of life, they drew strength from their shared heritage, their unwavering values, and the enduring bonds that tied them together. They had faced tragedy before, and they knew that they would face it again. But they also knew that they were not alone, that they had each other, and that the love and support of their family would always be there to guide them through the darkest of times.

As the sun set over the Wyoming landscape, casting long shadows across the valley, the story of Sharon, Kim, and Bryan served as a reminder that even in the midst of hardship, hope can endure, and love can triumph. Their journey, etched in the annals of the Humpherys family history, would continue to inspire and guide generations to come.

While the challenges of Sharon and Kim were deeply personal, the Humpherys family was a sprawling network, and each member carried their own burdens and dreams. The story now turns to Ken, another son of Dean and Neva, whose life journey took him from the familiar embrace of Star Valley to the sun-baked landscapes of Arizona and back again, a testament to his enduring love for the outdoors, his unwavering faith, and the deep roots he maintained in the Humpherys clan.

Ken, born into the heart of the Humpherys family, inherited the pioneering spirit of his ancestors and the values instilled by Dean and Neva. The rugged landscape of Wyoming shaped his character, instilling in him a deep appreciation for nature, a strong work ethic, and a resilient spirit. But Ken was also a dreamer, a man who yearned to explore the world beyond the familiar boundaries of Star Valley.

The post-World War II era, in which Ken came of age, was a time of both optimism and anxiety in America. The nation was experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, but the Cold War cast a long shadow, and the threat of nuclear annihilation loomed large. The Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, challenging long-held social norms and sparking a national debate about equality and justice. Ken, like many young people of his generation, was caught between the allure of the American dream and the unsettling realities of a rapidly changing world.

The newsletters, those annual chronicles of the Humpherys family, offer glimpses into Ken's life, revealing his adventurous spirit, his health challenges, and his enduring love for his family. While the details are often fragmented, they paint a portrait of a man who embraced life with gusto, always seeking new experiences and never losing sight of his roots.

The early editions of *The Humpherys Herald* hint at Ken's love for the outdoors, his passion for hunting and fishing, and his deep connection to the Wyoming landscape. He was a skilled horseman, a marksman, and a keen observer of nature, traits that he undoubtedly inherited from his father, Dean.

As Ken grew older, he felt the pull of the wider world. He ventured beyond the familiar boundaries of Star Valley, seeking new opportunities and experiences. He spent time in Arizona, drawn by the warm climate and the promise of a different kind of life. But even as he explored new horizons, he never forgot his roots, always returning to Star Valley to reconnect with his family and the land that shaped him.

The newsletters also reveal Ken's health challenges, a recurring theme in his life. He battled pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and kidney stones, enduring hospital stays and medical procedures with remarkable fortitude. Yet, even in the face of these challenges, he never lost his sense of humor or his zest for life.

In 2016, Nadean shared a humorous anecdote about Ken's health struggles, writing, "I got a real fun letter from Ken and Myrna the other day and I sure would enjoy hearing from more of you." Her words, while lighthearted, acknowledged the challenges Ken faced and the importance of family support in overcoming adversity.

The family newsletters also document Ken's missionary work, a testament to his unwavering faith and his desire to serve others. The details of his missionary service are scarce, but the newsletters hint at the profound impact it had on his life, instilling in him a deeper sense of purpose and a renewed commitment to his beliefs.

Ken married Tawny, and they had children: Kelly, Sherrie, DeAna, Mary Lynn, and Barry. Later, Ken married Myrna, and together they continued to build a life rooted in faith, family, and service.

The newsletters offer glimpses into the lives of Ken's children, showcasing their achievements, their challenges, and their own unique personalities. Kelly, for instance, suffered a heart attack in December 2021 and had to have a titanium rod and screws put in his femur after falling while ice skating. Sherrie lived in Alaska and was visited by Brian, DeAna, and Savannah. DeAna opened her own massage studio. Mary Lynn sadly passed away before 2021. Barry was called into the bishopric in their ward in Mandeville, Louisiana.

These snippets of information, gleaned from the pages of the *Humpherys Herald*, paint a portrait of a family dispersed across the country, yet bound together by shared values and enduring love. The newsletters, like a patchwork quilt, stitched together the individual stories of the Humpherys clan, creating a vibrant tapestry of lives.

In 2021, Ken and Myrna shared a particularly poignant account of their year, recounting their travels to Star Valley, their health challenges, and the loss of friends and family members. Their words, filled with both sorrow and gratitude, captured the essence of the Humpherys spirit: a willingness to face adversity with courage and grace, a deep appreciation for the blessings of life, and an unwavering commitment to family.

"Writing this newsletter can be compared to home teaching," Ken and Myrna wrote. "One procrastinates, putting it off for another day, and then suddenly it is too late!" Their words, while self-deprecating, acknowledged the importance of staying connected, of sharing their stories, and of reaffirming their bonds with loved ones.

They recounted their summer in Star Valley, living in their trailer on their newly constructed pad, made possible by Tom Peavler. The simple act of camping on a flat spot, rather than the side of the hill, brought them immense joy, a testament to their ability to find contentment in the simplest of things.

Ken and Myrna also spoke of the challenges they faced, the smoke from the west coast fires, the altitude in Star Valley, and Ken's health problems. He had a bout with pneumonia and was later hospitalized with congestive heart failure. Yet, even in the midst of these difficulties, Ken remained focused on others, determined to attend his grandson Jake's missionary farewell.

"Ken told the doctor he didn’t have heart failure and needed to get out of the hospital to be at Jake’s missionary farewell!" Ken and Myrna wrote. "We listened to his talk on zoom, was there for the luncheon and Ken was able to stand in the circle to set him apart as a missionary."

Their account also touched on the loss of friends and family members, a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. They attended the funerals of Myrna's sister, Mary Savage, and her brother-in-law, Oran Savage, as well as the funeral of Dean Evans, Gary's father.

Despite the sorrow, Ken and Myrna found joy in the simple things: the beauty of the Wyoming landscape, the companionship of their animals, and the love of their family. They ended their newsletter with a message of hope and gratitude, a testament to their enduring faith and their unwavering commitment to the Humpherys clan.

"There is much more that can be said," Ken and Myrna wrote. "We want all of the family to know how much we love and appreciate you all!"

Ken's life, like a winding trail through the Wyoming wilderness, was marked by both challenges and triumphs. He faced health problems with courage and resilience, explored new horizons with a sense of adventure, and remained steadfast in his commitment to faith, family, and service. His story, etched in the annals of the Humpherys family history, serves as an inspiration to future generations, a reminder that even in the midst of hardship, dreams can be realized, and legacies can be built.

And so, as the sun set over the Star Valley, casting long shadows across the landscape, the story of Ken Humpherys became another thread in the rich tapestry of the Humpherys family, a testament to the enduring power of love, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of those who dared to dream beyond the familiar horizons.

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