John Povlsen

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John Walter Povlsen, 69, of Heyburn, Idaho passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024 with his loving wife, Cindy, by his side after a long-fought battle against cancer.

John was born November 6, 1954 to Walter and Shirley Povlsen in Burley, Idaho. He was the third of five children and spent is life in the Mini-Cassia area. He graduated from Burley High School in 1973.  John married Cindy Samuelson August 20, 1977 and together they raised three children; Cora, Erin, and Regen.

John knew a typical desk job was not in his future, so after High School he worked for Ralph Thornton Construction, building bridges in the backcountry.  In 1986 he received his real estate license, the profession that seemed to suit him best. A few years later Cindy received her license and became not just John’s companion, but colleague. John was a realist and such a hard worker. When the real estate market was slow, he owned and operated JP Pallets, owned and operated a long-haul trucking company, had rentals, and flipped many homes. John became a broker and opened his own brokerage. He was realtor of the year in 1997 and 2012. One week prior to his passing John was honored with a lifetime achievement award from Mini-Cassia Association of Realtors, a prestigious honor for his achievements in the business.  John’s wish for the new generation of realtors was for them to have integrity and honesty and to remember there was more to making a living than just money.

Some of John’s interest included riding his Harleys, horses/mules, hunting and fishing, golfing, and trying to divide his time between his grandsons.  John was a man of many talents and could always be found sharing those with others.  Besides John’s biological kids and grandkids, he had an open home for all their friends and those who where important to them. Giving of his time and advice when they needed it.

John did not take his diagnosis laying down.  He decided he was going to fight hard and remain positive.  He rode his Harley to more treatments than he was driven too and complimented often on his great disposition.  This attitude, besides stubbornness, kept him with his family two years longer than was expected.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Walter and Shirley Povlsen; Robert and Helen Samuelson (Father and Mother in-law); Robert Samuelson Jr (Brother in-law); Chandler Povlsen (Nephew).

John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cindy Povlsen; children, Cora (Ben) Southern, Regen (Brinley) Povlsen, and Erin (Fred) Gorringe; siblings, Cathy (Bill) Harwood, Rob (Debbie) Povlsen, Eric (Beth) Povlsen, and Lori (Dave) Kunz; grandsons, Augustus (Shelby) Southern, Beau (Cheyenne) Southern, Ethan (Kendall) Southern, and Brady Irwin.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Morrison Payne Funeral Chapel 321 East Main Street Burley, Idaho. Services are under the direction of Morrison Payner Funeral Home.

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