Joseph Frank Buresh

Joe was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 17, 1944 to Adolph Buresh and Neva Meisner Buresh. He grew up on a ranch in Sundance, Wyoming alongside his sisters Kay Buresh Queen (Manny) and Betty Buresh Eatherton (Jim) and his brother Duffy Buresh (Tammie).

He was our original Wyoming Cowboy. After attending schools and graduating from Sundance High School, he continued his education at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.

He moved his family to Boise, Idaho where he accepted his first teaching assignment as a metal shop teacher at Borah High School. He stayed there for 9.5 years.

Joe left teaching to begin his career as a welder at Yanke Machine Shop. He made lifelong friendships and memories while working with the Yanke Family.

He stayed with Yanke until his retirement in 2010. He continued working with Dan Yanke at the Golden Eagle Mine as an MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) trainer.

Joe met and married Diana Fisher Christensen on May 30, 1981 and they were later sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple. They blended his two children, Eddy Buresh and Toni Lynn Buresh Hattier (Richard); and Diana's three children, Jill Christensen, Andrea Christensen O'Dell (Pat) and Billy Christensen (Jen). In 1988 their son, Cooper James Buresh, joined the family.

Joe was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized on May 16, 1982 by Brother Grant Ipsen.

Joe has held many positions and callings and his most recent calling was serving as the Ward Temple and Family History Leader. His membership in the church brought him much joy and he had a deep love for his Ward Family.

Being raised in Wyoming on a ranch, Joe was an avid outdoorsman. He spent much of his young life on horseback and later trained and owned horses.

He enjoyed kayaking, motorcycling, and all things outdoors. He went hunting and fishing as often as possible with his friends and often included his family on these adventures.

Joe loved to travel and see new places. He went on many trips with Diana and their travel friends. The Alaskan, the Baltic Sea, and the Panama Canal cruises were some of his favorites.

Joe was a talented and artistic metal worker. The entire neighborhood will miss seeing him tinkering outside his shop.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Billy Christensen. He is survived by his wife, Diana; daughters Toni, Jill and Andrea; his sons Eddy and Cooper; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; his sisters Kay and Betty; and his brother Duffy.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Boise, Idaho. Joe was laid to rest at the Morris Hill Cemetery directly following the service.