The following obituaries and death notices appeared in the August 12, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
Steve Floyd
Raymond Steve “Fuzzy” Floyd, 68, passed away August 3, 2026, in Rupert, Idaho. He was born August 8, 1957, in Gooding, Idaho, to Raymond Woodridge Floyd and Beverly Jean Martin.
Steve was a hardworking man who spent his life in construction and proudly owned Floyd’s Construction Inc. He loved hunting and snowmobiling, but fishing became his greatest passion. Always one to keep moving, Steve lived by the saying, “A body in motion stays in motion.”
Steve is survived by his wife, Debra “Debbie” Floyd; children, Raymond Travis Floyd and Jewel Ray Floyd and Stepson Casey Arnold; brothers, Martin Eugene Floyd and Ervin Todd Floyd; many family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, David Floyd and Randal Floyd.
Steve will be remembered for his work ethic, determination, humor, and the familiar phrase those who knew him will recognize: “The ‘W’ is looking bad today.”
A Celebration of Life will be held September 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at 108785 N US Highway 89, Etna, WY 83118.
Rhonda Reed
Rhonda Fae Reed, of Thayne, Wyoming, passed away on August 2, 2026 from a long battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme Stage 4 Cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. Rhonda was born on August 13, 1962, in Modesto, California to Robert and Myrna Jackson. In the middle of her senior year of high school, the family relocated to Kuna, Idaho. She graduated from Kuna High School in 1980. On June 14, 1986, she married Richard H. Reed, Rhonda set it for flag day so he would not forget. Rhonda received an associate’s degree in administrative accounting. In 2009 the family relocated to Star Valley Wyoming. She has worked as a registrar at Star Valley Health and St, John’s Health in Jackson, Wyoming for many years. Rhonda is survived by her husband, Richard “Rick” Reed, her son, Matthew Reed, (Brittney) granddaughter Allison, Her parents, Robert and Myrna Jackson, her brother – Eddie (Jo) Jackson and her niece, Makenna Marshall (Dorian). She was preceded in death by her brother Steven Jackson.
Interment will be in the Kuna Idaho Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Friends Church in Melba, Idaho on August 12, at 11:00am, With a luncheon provided by the Melba Senior Center from 12:00 pm – 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children Research.
Janet Jacobson
Janet Ann Jacobson passed away on June 3, 2026 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Jan was born January 29, 1939 on the dining room table in Osakis, Douglas County, Minnesota to George and Helen (Hendrickson) Jacobson.
Jan married John Felt on August 14, 1969 at RAF Bentwaters Chapel in the United Kingdom. They were divorced in 2003.
Jan loved her pet dogs, visiting with friends from around the world, sports, fishing, golf and quilting.
Jan is preceded in death by her parents George Jacobson and Helen Hendrickson, sisters Norma and Phyllis; brothers Donald and Robert.
Janet was a legend, larger than life, and her presence will be missed dearly.
Per Jan’s wishes, some of her ashes were scattered in Wyoming, Arizona and England. The internment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Saint James, Minnesota with her parents and sister this spring.
A Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Rev. Stephen Bibb, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25 at Star Valley United Church, 606 N Main Street, Thayne, WY 83127. Please join us for a light lunch and sharing of memories and stories following the service.
Livestreaming of Jan’s service will be found at the Star Valley United Church Facebook page.
Ron Stoltenberg Celebration of Life
The family of Ron Stoltenberg will hold a pasture party to celebrate Ron’s life on August 15, 2026 from 5:00-8:00– p.m. at the Stoltenberg residence located at Stoltenberg Lane – 688 County Road 133, Auburn, WY 83111.
Family, friends and neighbors are invited to bring their chairs and beverages to the pasture to share stories, memories and laughter.
To honor Ron’s love for animals and per his request, a boot will be available for donations to Lucky’s Place Animal Shelter.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Dan Patterson
Daniel Scott Patterson, age 59, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Salt Lake City while getting ready for work on Tuesday July 21, 2026. Dan worked for Intermountain Health Care in SLC as a Security Officer for several years.
Dan was born on August 12, 1966 in Afton Wyoming to Robert & Catherine/Cathy Patterson that lived in Smoot, Wyoming. His older brother Benjamin was 4 & sister Elizabeth was 3.
In 1974 when Dan was 8 years old his parents divorced. That same year Dan was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ in Cottonwood Creek in Smoot, Wyoming. He attended church with his mother Cathy & brother Ben & Liz in the old Smoot church house.
In 1978 a few months before Dan turned 12 his mother Cathy married Orin Veigel who was previously married and had 5 children-Kim, Lynn, Don, Jan & David. Dan learned so much from his step father Orin Veigel & learned to work hard on the farm changing sprinkler pipes mainly at first , then later helped to feed the cattle & fix fence, & helped at roundup time.
Dan graduated from SV High School in 1984. Then went to Basic Training in the Army & served there awhile. Dan went one year at University of Wyo. He met a girl Martha who was from Denver Colorado & got married in Denver & graduated from Barnes Business College. Their son Konrad Patterson was born in 1992. They later divorced.
Dan found out he had a Brain Tumor in year 2000 when he was 34 years old. He survived a serious surgery & left him affected with short term memory problems. He moved back home to Afton Wyoming with Mom for awhile after Orin had passed away & started working construction for awhile & worked for the company that built the new Star Valley Hospital.
Dan moved to SLC Utah & graduated from LDS Business College & went to work for Intermountain Health Care. Everyday life was hard for Dan due to short term memory problems but will be remembered for being a good worker at his job & faithful in his Church. Funeral service was held on Saturday Saturday August 1, 2026 at Salt River Ward in Afton Wyoming & he was buried in the Afton Cemetery. A Memorial service was held at his Ward in SLC on Saturday August 8, 2026.
