Ortell D. Wilson

BURLEY – Ortell D. Wilson, 100 years and seven months, of Burley, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at Highland Estates Assisted Living in Burley.

She was born May 19, 1916, in Heyburn, Idaho, to Lewis Wells Drake and Mary Edith Hill. Her schooling began in a one-room, first-through-sixth-grade school house in Burley. After attending several other schools in the Burley area, she graduated from Burley High School. She married Marion Wilford Wilson April 8, 1940, in Weiser, Idaho, which marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on March 30, 1943.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ortell gave freely of her time to serve in church responsibilities. She served in many capacities including, playing the pump organ for Primary and Sunday school in the Burley 3rd Ward; Relief Society president; ward and branch choir director; Stake Relief Society board member; Stake Primary board; music director (director of the Singing Mothers); Trail Blazer teacher; Relief Society teacher; Primary teacher; and Young Women Mutual Improvement Association president. Ortell never wavered from accepting church callings in the many different stakes, wards, and branches she resided in throughout her life.

She and her husband Marion served three construction missions. They were interviewed and set apart by Elder Spencer W. Kimball, in 1956, to serve in the LDS Church Building Program. Their service to the Lord during this assignment took them to the South Pacific, in Polynesia; Suva, Fiji; and Apia, Western Samoa – all of which they did with their family of three children, Mary Kaye, Judith Rae, and Marion Brent. They also served several construction missions in the Eastern United States.

Ortell taught by example the importance of family. She is a guiding influence for all members of her family by her devotion, faith, hard work, and courage.

Ortell was an outstanding supporter of the Burley Music Club and served this organization in different capacities, including president for two years. She worked tirelessly to create projects to fund music scholarships and also to enroll young musicians. She was happy to create an opportunity for these youngsters to improve their skills and to have financial assistance. Ortell served on the Friends of the Library committee an worked hard providing speakers, displays, and activities for the pleasure of the community.

Ortell loved nature and had a reverence for all wildlife. She enjoyed the warmth of summer and relaxing in contemplation on her patio. She enjoyed creating artful projects and working with greenware clay and painting ceramics. She also had a deep love for music and her family.

She will be remembered as a compassionate, kind, truthful, fiercely independent, and fiercely devoted individual who did the very best she could at everything she did.

Ortell is survived by her daughter, Mary Kaye (Donald) Mahon of Lompoc, Calif.; and her son, Marion Brent (Naomi) Wilson of Spokane, Wash.; sister, Raeola (Calvin - deceased) Crane of Burley; seven grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Judith Rae Wilson Brewer; and her ten siblings, Louis Norman Drake, Elleanora Isabella Drake Smith, Henrick Munson Drake, Wallace Young Drake, John Ramon Drake, Wayne Sturgess Drake, Bernice Drake Rose, Alvin Taylor Drake, Muriel Drake Elquist, and Lynn Wells Drake.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at the Burley West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Avenue, in Burley, with Bishop Ty Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, preceding the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in Ortell’s name be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund, Perpetual Education Fund, or Missionary Fund; either through your local ward or in care of Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878 Burley, Idaho 83318; or make a donation to the charity of your choice.