Larue Kay Packwood

LaRue was born in Ontario, Oregon, to Frank and Katie Langley. She was the oldest of five children and grew up in Payette, Idaho. She spent much of her childhood on the farm, helping with chores while attending school, and graduated from Payette High School in 1963.

In the fall of 1961, she met the love of her life, Harry Oliver Packwood. They dated through her junior and senior years of high school while she attended Payette High School. He attended Boise Junior College and also graduated in 1963. They were married on May 29, 1963. Together they had four sons: Harry Franklin, Larry Oliver, Terry Samuel, and Garry Edward Packwood. They raised their children in the Greater Treasure Valley in Idaho. LaRue was a baptized Christian, and her faith was an important part of her life; she spent much time at church and in service to God. While raising their children, the family spent as much time as possible in the mountains, enjoying countless adventures fishing, camping, and riding motorcycles across Idaho’s lakes and peaks.

LaRue worked at Simplot in Nampa, Idaho, until retiring after 27 years. After retiring, LaRue and Harry served 17 seasons as campground hosts in the Payette and Boise National Forests. LaRue is survived by her sister Lelah Henggeler; two brothers, Phillip and Tracy Langley; and all four sons: Harry (“Bangie”) of Arizona, Larry (Marge) of Nampa, Terry (LaWanda) of Kuna, and Garry (Donna) of Onalaska, WI. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. LaRue was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Katie Langley, and her husband Harry O. Packwood as well as her sister Lydia Carter.

LaRue’s family will hold a funeral on May 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at The First Christian Church of Nampa, 619 12th Avenue S, Nampa, ID 83651. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.nampafirstchristian.org. Arrangements are by Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen. Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity in honor of LaRue Packwood.