Galen K. Earnest

Galen (Pops) Earnest passed away peacefully at his home, at the age of 71 early Saturday morning on September 17, 2016. Growing up, Galen was very active. Although he was small in stature, he was very athletic and excelled at sports. He loved a good challenge and was known to be a prankster and a tease. He kept life interesting and his family on their toes. At age 16, Galen left his Nampa home to attend Western Mennonite High School in Salem Oregon where he graduated two years later. He later attended college in Hesston, Kansas. At age 20, Galen married Virginia Fuller and from that union were two children, Kirk and Tamara. On August 16, 1985, he married Marlene Metcalf and took her two children, Marla and Jerry, as his own and he and Marlene have enjoyed the last 31 years together. With his experience in construction and masonry, Galen eventually started his own business, Earnest Construction, with a focus on custom homes and light commercial buildings. Galen had a reputation throughout the valley for producing a quality product, and his sub-contractors were held to that same standard. Galen’s love for sports continued through his adult life with many years of playing both fast and slow pitch softball, where he earned the nick name “Pops”. He also played as a goalie for the Boise Blades B Hockey Team. Along with sports, he was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing. He spent many seasons with friends and family in his goose pit, and fished the Snake River in his prized bass boat up until the day he passed. It was that same bass boat that he enjoyed teaching his grandkids how to “Catch the Big One”. When Galen was not able to enjoy the outdoors, you would find him watching the Boise State Bronco‘s or taking in a Mariners game. In his later years, his greatest joy was watching and following his grandchildren in their various sports.

 Galen is survived by his wife Marlene Earnest; Children Kirk (Dawnetta) Earnest, Tami (Robert) Clayton, Marla (Mike) Cassidy, and Jerry (Cheryl) Earnest; Grandchildren Austin Skogsberg, Amanda Skogsberg, Brady Earnest, Kate Clayton and Ben Earnest; Siblings Phil (Alice) Earnest, Alice (Larry) Hostetler, Vonnie (Robert) Oxnam, Leland (Martha) Earnest, and Everett (Lois) Earnest; his special dog, Moxie.

The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Michael Codina, Dr. Walter Seale, and Jeff with Norco for their compassion and care.

The family requests memorial donations be made to a local youth athletic program of your choice.

The family will greet loved ones and friends at the Nampa Funeral Home on Thursday evening, September 22, 2016 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.

A Memorial Service to honor and celebrate the life of Galen will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave, South in Nampa, Idaho 83651. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

 Service Information