The following was excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

News of a Saturday, Nov. 30, plane crash in South Dakota that claimed the lives of nine Latter-day Saints from an extended family has staggered relatives, friends, business associates and fellow members across eastern Idaho — and far beyond.

“This is a devastating event,” said Ammon Idaho Foothills Stake President Von Crofts. “These people are pillars of our business and Church community. They are respected and loved by so many.” 

President Crofts’ first counselor, President James Hansen Jr., was killed in the private, single-engine plane crash near Chamberlain, South Dakota. Also killed was President Hansen’s father, James Hansen Sr.; President Hansen’s brother, Kirk Hansen; one of President Hansen’s sons, Jake, and grandson, Houston. 

Kirk Hansen’s sons, Stockton and Logan, and his sons-in-law, Kyle Naylor and Tyson Dennert, also died.

The three survivors include Matt Hansen, a son of President Hansen; Thomas Long, a son-in-law of President Hansen; and Josh Hansen, son of Kirk Hansen. The three were being treated Monday at a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hospital and reportedly were in stable condition.

The family was returning to Idaho Falls at midday Saturday after traveling to South Dakota for a pheasant hunt they took every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.