Emma Southern Wodskow

HEYBURN – Our beloved mother, grandmother, and aunt, Emma Wodskow, age 92, of Heyburn, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, Jan. 31, 2014, in Fernley, Nev., surrounded by her family.

Emma was born on May 7, 1921, to Benjamin and Matilda (Byram) Southern in Heyburn, Idaho. She was the youngest and last surviving of seven children. She spent her childhood years in Heyburn, where she met and married Walter Sidney Wodskow on Nov. 2, 1937. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Nov. 30, 1945. Walt and Emma had nine children, Beverly Jean, Lillie Ann, Norma Laree, Lonnie J, Connie Mae, Walter Sidney, Randy J, Burt J, and Aleah Joy. Emma valued strong family relationships. She raised her family only one mile from the home where she grew up.

Emma spent many years working alongside her husband, Walt, on their farm. She drove an Oliver 60 and was the only one able to drive straight enough to cultivate the beets. She and her children spent many long hours laboring in the fields. She and Walt also enjoyed having the Wodskow Riding Ranch for several years. After working many years at the Ore-Ida processing plant, she drove school bus for the Minidoka County School District for 18 years. She retired in 1985. Emma thrived on knowledge and kept her mind alert by reading, crocheting, painting, and embroidering. In her early years, she enjoyed horseback riding, camping, hunting, gardening, and canning.

Emma leaves behind four children, Beverly (Robert) McLaren, Lonnie (Diane) Wodskow, Burt Wodskow, and Aleah (Glen) Angus. She is loved and will be remembered by her 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walt; five of her children, Lille Anne, Norma, Connie Mae, Walter, and Randy; and one grandchild, Shanon J.

Emma set a wonderful example by choosing the right, regardless of difficult circumstances. She never called attention to herself but those who knew her story drew deep inspiration from her strength and resilience in the face of great loss and her half century long devotion to a blind and wholly dependent child. She overcame all her life’s challenges and left this earth with grace and dignity. She will be remembered as a fighter and a strong-willed righteous woman. She was dearly loved by all.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Heyburn LDS 1st and 2nd Ward Church, 530 Villa Dr., in Heyburn, with Bishop Brock Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.