Maredith Ann Huntley, age 75, passed away on Saturday, March 16, at home, with her family at her side, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born Jan. 23, 1949, in Bassett, Nebraska, the daughter of Doyle W. White and Katherine M. (Manning) White. She spent part of her childhood on a ranch outside of Bassett before her family moved to Riverton when Maredith was the age of 9. She would go on to graduate from Riverton High School.
Maredith married Gary Huntley on Nov. 7, 1969, in Riverton. Gary’s work soon took them to Gas Hills, Wyoming. Two years later, they moved to Glenrock, where they lived for 16 years. Maredith enjoyed working as a kindergarten teacher’s aide and then later started an in-home daycare to help provide for the family.
In 1988, Gary’s work took them to Mountain View, where they lived for four years. Maredith initially ran an in-home daycare and then taught at her church’s Christian school. A short-term job transfer to Riverton gave Maredith and Gary some precious time with Maredith’s parents.
A final job transfer took them to Aztec, New Mexico. It was a move that they reluctantly made, but it ended up being a blessed and enjoyable 15 years. During that time, Maredith enjoyed being a homemaker, was very involved with the Farmington Christian Women’s Club, and enjoyed playing in a bunko group.
Upon Gary’s retirement in 2008, Maredith and Gary moved to Evanston to be close to their daughters and grandchildren. Their son was also able to relocate to Evanston in 2011 to be with them.
Maredith was a terrific hostess for holidays and other occasions and worked hard to make sure that everything was just right to make it a fun time for everyone. She enjoyed travel and camping trips. She loved watching her three granddaughters play volleyball.
She also enjoyed the blacksmithing and woodworking of her two grandsons. Spending time with her great-grandchildren was a real joy to her.
What Maredith was most known for was her tremendous collection of Christmas decorations. To many, Maredith’s house was known as the “Christmas House.” Maredith’s friends and family gifted her with wonderful items and her collection grew more and more each year.
It was a long process putting the decorations out. However, Maredith loved each item and reminisced about who gave it to her and where it came from as she would put it out for display. Maredith was particularly fond of her nativities, of which she had over 100. She even had two Christmas trees — one nativity themed.
Maredith loved her church family everywhere that she lived, providing her many close lifelong friends. She was a board member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Evanston. Pastor Tim and Lori Floyd and their children, Audrey and Ben, meant so much to Maredith and were considered to be part of her family.
Maredith’s faith in Jesus was very important to her. It gave her strength and joy even in the midst of all of her pain and suffering throughout her illness.
Maredith is survived by her children, Nikki (Jon) Colson, Marvin Huntley and Kodi (Paul) Freeland; five grandchildren, William (Kris) Colson, Jesse (Mia) Colson, Kortney (Cody) Jones, Kaytlen (Parker) Freeland and Emily Freeland; seven great-grandchildren Sky, Skylar, Rylie, Trenton, Baylie, Tosha, and Cora; and her dear sister, Beth Childers.
She was preceded in death by Gary, her loving husband of 52 years; her parents; a granddaughter, Tosha Colson; and her brother, James White.
Memorial gifts in honor of Maredith may be mailed to 407 Hansen Ave., Evanston, WY 82930 for the benevolence fund of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church.
We would like to express our profound gratitude to the wonderful staff at Cowboy Cares for their excellent loving care of Maredith.
A celebration of life for Maredith will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, 2190 Wasatch Rd., Evanston.
