Josie Udy Spiers

OAKLEY – Josie Udy Spiers, age 91, of Oakley, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert.

She was born on Oct. 2, 1921, the daughter of Lot Smith and Etta Eveline Rich Udy on the Joseph Udy Homestead on Connor Creek near Elba. She then joined her parents and sister, Norma, at the Melcher Mine Mansion for the next seven years before the Udys moved to the family ranch on Cassia Creek. Josie was the second of seven children. Her siblings are Norma Bedke (deceased), Darhl R. Udy (deceased), Arthella Warren (deceased), Lyle Lot Udy (deceased), Loleta May Merrill of Albion, and Pat Hayden (deceased).

After graduation from Malta High School, Josie married Elmo Rasmussen, and later she married Gordon Spiers. She lived most of her life in Oakley, where she farmed and later became a beautician operating Josie’s Beauty Shop in Oakley.

She enjoyed keeping busy and had always been an active member of the LDS Church. She loved helping her family, friends, and neighbors in times of need with labor, care or food. She was an avid quilter and had made more than 300 quilts. She also painted pictures and saw blades as well as doing other handwork and crafts.

She is survived by her daughter, Kara (Alex) Gordon of Payette, Idaho; one stepson, Keith (Marsha) Spiers; her sister, Loleta May Merrill of Albion; her grandchildren, Vicki Scott, Pam Farr, Shane Rasmussen, Anita Burdick, Miranda Baker, Dee Jay Rasmussen, Frank Gordon, Shonna Anderson, Jeff (Sandra) Spiers, Darren (Jennifer) Spiers, and Ryan Spiers; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon Spiers; three sons, Elmo Rasmussen, Rolan Rasmussen, and Darhl E. Rasmussen; a stepson, Gerald Spiers; three sisters; and two brothers.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 22, at the Oakley LDS Stake Center, 355 N. Center, with Bishop Doug Pickett officiating. Burial will be in the Oakley Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

Josie requested that donations in her memory be directed to the Oakley Museum or the Oakley Cemetery.