Kenneth Leon Metzer

Kenneth (Kenne) Leon Metzer was born as a Christmas baby on December 25, 1936 to Denzil Nicholaus Metzer and Mary Elizabeth Church in Caldwell, ID. He passed away peacefully at home on November 4, 2026 at nearly 90 years old. He grew up as an only child, living on Succor Creek just west of Homedale, ID. After graduating from Homedale High School in 1955, Kenne joined the Air Force and served on Etain Air Force base in France where he received a good conduct medal as Aircraft and Missile Ground Power & Support Equipment Repairman. He was responsible for keeping generators operable to maintain runway lighting. He also spent a month in Paris on the Champs-Élysées, with the sole honor of carrying luggage for the Brigadier General. Tough duty!

After returning home in 1958, Kenne convinced the little girl who grew up across Succor Creek to marry him. Kenne and Darlene (Markley) were married on April 3, 1960. Their first daughter Randee (Garrett) was born in 1961 and shortly after, Kenne and Darlene purchased their first water well-drilling rig in McCall, ID. They drilled enough wells in that area to nearly pay for the drill before returning home. Kenne Metzer Well Drilling was established at this time and operated for nearly 60 years. Daughter Teri (Uria) came along three years later in 1964 and little sister Lynne (Murphy) in 1967. For the majority of the years Kenne drilled wells around the valley, his only help was Darlene. Many men on construction sites were taken aback by the pretty hired help he employed. He could not have found a harder working partner to help grow the well-drilling business and the farm. If you needed to know anything about underground water from Jordan Valley, OR to McCall, ID, Kenne could tell you the water depth and quality and the soil conditions to get to it.

In the early 70’s Kenne and Darlene were able to purchase the property on Succor Creek where Darlene had grown up as a little girl. Kenne and Darlene built a beautiful home on this property where they have lived to the present day. After purchasing this property, Kenne increased his farming endeavors along with his well drilling business and was still baling his own hay just last summer at 88 years old. Kenne and Darlene raised their three daughters on the farm to be as tough and capable as any of the boys in town. From their parents, the girls learned service, integrity, hard work and problem-solving skills. Kenne tried his best to teach his supernatural patience but that is still a work in progress.

Kenne was a natural mechanic and could repair anything or invent a gizmo to solve any well or farm problem. With unsurpassed patience, he would tackle a breakdown with spare parts from his scrap pile or something he built. His family learned that there was no good reason to get upset when something didn’t work. He would just continue to try something different until he figured it out. Kenne approached a problem with a quiet, thoughtful demeanor and never lost his temper. We were told more than once if we would quit thinking about it, we wouldn’t have to worry about it. He didn’t waste time worrying about things he couldn’t change. He spent that time figuring out a way to solve the problem or help someone else solve their problem. In the Homedale community, Kenne was the “go to” guy for answers on most local issues.

In his quiet but knowledgeable way, Kenne was a public servant to the community he loved. He served on the Homedale Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, from 1969 to 2004 and was the Fire Chief from 1985 to 1992. He also served as a City Councilman under Mayor George Murray from 1971 to 1974. During this time, he was on the Planning and Zoning committee as well.

In 1998, when Darlene’s father passed away, Kenne told the girls that there should probably be a cross up on the hill east of Homedale. When Kenne spoke, you knew there had already been a lot of thought behind his words. So he provided the poles and the cross was built and lit with white lights. The following year, he said, “We should probably have our own Easter Sunrise service.” Thus, a tradition of over 25 years of annual family Easter Sunrise Services began. In 2018, Kenne decided there should be a cross on Succor Creek west of Homedale and so a beautiful lighted cross is now visible from River Road in Homedale, built on the site of the former railroad trestle.

Kenne’s family has been so blessed by the quiet love and faith that he demonstrated more than he voiced. And he cultivated a hardworking loving family in a way we never completely understood. Even though his words were often few, his impactful life lessons were always received loud and clear. Those lessons will live with us for generations.

Kenne was preceded in death by his parents, Denzil and Mary Metzer, in-laws Harold and Irene Markley, sister-in-law Charlene Uranga, grandson Cody Garrett and great-grandson Blayze. He is survived by his wife Darlene Metzer, daughters Randee Garrett (Gregg), Teri Uria (Dennis) and Lynne Murphy (Brett), Grandchildren Tony Johnson (Lorraine), Hailee Garrett Blackwell (Kyle), Cory Uria (Kristi), Ryan Garrett, Ashlynne Uria Roedel (Jon), Jace Johnson (Taylor), Whitney Uria Christoffersen (Casey), Nikaya Johnson and Max Murphy. Great grandchildren Bensyn Roedel, Payson Vernon, Lacy Uria, Ali Uria, Graydon Christoffersen, Elliot Johnson, Charlee Blackwell, Marklee Christoffersen, Frankee Blackwell, Trey Johnson and Landon Christoffersen. Sister-in-law Judy Purdom (Bill) and brother-in-law Junior Uranga.

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and work with your hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Services will be held at Mountain View Church of the Nazarene at 26515 Ustick Rd., Wilder ID at 2:00 PM in the afternoon on Thursday, November 12th. Graveside service will follow at the Homedale Marsing Cemetery and all are invited to dinner afterward at the Basque Center in Homedale to share memories and stories.