Finding a specific life story in the times news magic valley obituaries shouldn't feel like a digital scavenger hunt. Yet, here we are. If you’ve ever scrolled through endless pages of "Recent Deaths" only to realize the person you're looking for was actually published three weeks ago or under a maiden name you forgot, you know the frustration.
It’s personal.
The Times-News, based in Twin Falls, has been the record-keeper for Idaho’s Magic Valley for over a century. Whether it’s a farmer from Filer who spent sixty years on the same tractor or a teacher from Jerome who taught three generations of kids how to read, these records are the heartbeat of the region. But the way we access these stories is changing fast. Honestly, if you're just typing a name into Google and hoping for the best, you're probably missing half the picture.
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The Digital Shift in Magic Valley
Most people assume that every obituary ever printed in the Times-News is just sitting there on their website for free. I wish. While recent notices—like those for Harry Clifford De Haan or Melvin “Buster” Machen—are easily found via the paper's partnership with Legacy.com, older records often hide behind paywalls or live exclusively on microfilm in a basement.
Recent entries from early 2026 show a mix of local residents and those who moved away but kept their roots in the valley. Take Paul Marcus Wilkinson, who passed in late 2025; his story was shared in the Times-News to reach the community he fought alongside during his battle with cancer.
Why the "Search" Button Often Fails You
Google is smart, but it’s not a mind reader. If you’re looking for a woman who passed away in the 1980s, searching her first and last name might yield zero results. Why? Because back then, many obituaries were listed under the husband’s name—"Mrs. John Smith" instead of "Mary Smith." It’s an old-school quirk that still trips up modern researchers.
Also, consider the "Magic Valley" umbrella. This region covers Twin Falls, Jerome, Cassia, Minidoka, Gooding, and Lincoln counties. Sometimes a family might choose to publish in a smaller weekly paper like the South Idaho Press instead of the Times-News, or they might do both.
Finding Times News Magic Valley Obituaries Without the Headache
If you need to find a notice from the last few years, your first stop is the official times news magic valley obituaries section on Legacy. This is where the paper hosts its digital memorials. It's usually updated daily.
- Start Broad: Don't put in the exact date of death yet. Use just the last name and "Idaho."
- Check the Funeral Home: Often, a funeral home like White-Reynolds or Rosenau will post a much longer version of the obituary on their own site for free, while the newspaper version is trimmed to save on print costs.
- The 3-Day Rule: Most obituaries appear 3 to 7 days after a death. If you don't see it immediately, wait for the Sunday edition. Sunday is still the "big" day for print notices in Southern Idaho.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk money for a second because it’s a shock to many families. Publishing in the Times-News isn't cheap. In late 2025 and moving into 2026, a basic obituary starts around $53, but that's for the bare bones. If you want a photo—and let’s be real, everyone wants a photo—and a few paragraphs of life history, you’re looking at hundreds of dollars.
Because of this, you’ll notice a trend in the times news magic valley obituaries: the "Death Notice." This is a tiny, free, or low-cost blurb that just lists the name, age, and service time. If you can't find a full story, look for the death notice section. It’s less poetic, but it gives you the dates you need.
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Deep Archives and Genealogy Gold
For the history buffs or those trying to fill out a family tree at the Twin Falls Public Library, the digital stuff only goes back so far. If your ancestor helped settle the Magic Valley in the early 1900s, you’re going to need GenealogyBank or Newspapers.com.
These sites have digitized the actual scans of the Times-News (and its predecessors like the Twin Falls News). Seeing the original layout is fascinating. You’ll see the obituary nestled between ads for 5-cent coffee and reports on the local sugar beet harvest. It gives the life story context that a plain-text digital version just can't match.
Tips for Success
- Vary Spellings: Names like "Hansen" and "Hanson" are interchanged constantly in old records.
- Search by Town: Instead of "Magic Valley," try searching for "Buhl" or "Hansen" specifically.
- Use the "Guest Book": On the Legacy site, even if you didn't know the person well, reading the guest book comments can reveal nicknames or maiden names you didn't know existed.
Navigating Modern Grief in Idaho
The way we use times news magic valley obituaries has shifted from a morning ritual over coffee to a mobile notification. But the purpose remains. It’s about a community acknowledging that one of its own is gone. Whether it’s a notice for a 95-year-old veteran or a tragic loss of a young person in a car accident on Highway 93, these records are the primary source of our shared history.
If you are the one tasked with writing one of these, remember: you don't have to be a professional writer. People in the Magic Valley value the truth. Mention the fishing trips at Blue Heart Springs. Mention the secret recipe for finger steaks. Those are the details that make an obituary "human."
To find what you're looking for right now, start with the local funeral home websites first—they are often more "complete" than the condensed newspaper versions. If you're doing a deep historical dive, the Twin Falls Public Library’s reference desk is an underused goldmine; they have access to local databases that aren't available to the general public from home. Check the Sunday print archives if a digital search comes up empty, as many families still prefer the tradition of the physical paper for their final tribute.