Rhea Smith

BURLEY – Surrounded by her family on February 22, 2017, we lost our loving mother, grandmother, and friend, Rhea K (Saxton) Smith. She has reunited with her husband and best friend, Waide Smith.

Rhea was born on Jan. 26, 1925, in Declo, Idaho, the daughter of Elmer Charles and Cora Lillian (Kidd) Saxton. She had five brothers, Paul Elmer, Carl Leroy, Mark Duane, Dean Lamar and Grant M.; along with three sisters, Fern, Edna Fay and Cora Anna. Rhea and Waide were the proud parents of six children, Carolyn Kay (Carl) Lowe of China Springs, Texas, Alan Waide (Bonnie K Jarolimek), of Burley, Idaho, Janet Ellen (Niel) Christensen of Meridian, Idaho, Debra Ann (Dr. James) Pearl of Salt Lake City, Utah, Connie Lou (Dr. Gerald) Peterson of Tonopah, Nev., and Reid William (Connie Gay Firth) of Burley, Idaho; 21 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Rhea will be greeted in heaven by her parents, Elmer and Cora; her loving husband and best friend, Waide; their son, Alan Waide; her grandson, Eric Michael Pearl; and her brothers and sisters, Fern, Paul, Carl, Mark, Cora and Grant, who preceded her in death.

Rhea was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She loved to travel around the country and to many foreign lands with her family; especially Yellowstone, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington DC, New York, Europe and the Canadian Rockies.

She was active in the View Ward LDS Church and served in many capacities, which included Relief Society president and Primary presidency. Rhea and Waide loved to dance and were so much fun to watch. They served as the ward dance directors for many years.

While primarily a homemaker, growing up Rhea worked at Stan Price’s Café and Johnson’s Laundry. She also worked for the Burley and Ore-Ida Potato Processing Plants. She helped with the farm and dairy business the family was engaged in for many years.

In early life, Rhea was active in horseback riding, bowling, and enjoyed dancing and swimming at every opportunity. She was an excellent seamstress. She took great pride in being able to sew beautiful outfits for her daughters. Rhea made amazing quilts and loved to crochet afghans for her family and friends. She loved working in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Rhea and Waide were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Nov. 24, 1942. After their retirement in 1980, they liked to spend their winters at their home in Quartzite, Ariz., where they loved to entertain family and friends.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care their mother received from Linda Woodbury and the staff at Safe Haven during her stay there.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the View LDS Church, 490 E. 550 S. of Burley, with Bishop Michael Searle officiating. Burial will follow in the View Cemetery.

Family and friends may attend the viewing from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church.