A few days after her 89th birthday, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Wilma Janett Chapman Madsen, passed away on April 21, 2011 of natural causes at the home of her daughter. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Wilma was born on April 1, 1922, in Rigby, Idaho, to George Sylvester Chapman and Nellie Dowdle Chapman. George was a dairyman and during the summers Wilma and her sisters sold ice cream from a horse drawn cart. Their motto was, "You can whip our cream but you can't beat our milk".
Wilma and her future husband, Nile Baxter Madsen, lived on adjacent Rigby farms. While growing up, Nile used to snitch strawberries from her father's strawberry fields.
After graduating from Rigby High School, Wilma moved to Salt Lake City and attended Henager Business School where Nile was also attending school in the big city. Because they were lonely Idaho farm kids, they became close friends, started dating and fell in love. They were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on February 4, 1942.
While living in Salt Lake City, Wilma gave birth to their first son, Steven. During World War II, Nile served in the Army. After the war, they returned to live in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their first daughter, Claudia was born. Eighteen months later, Claudia died of a childhood illness. Following the death of Claudia, Wilma said, "I never want my arms to be that empty again." That desire never faded, as her eight children, twenty- nine grandchildren and forty-nine great grandchildren were the blessings and the joy of her life to the very end.
In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho and into the little home on Gem Street where they raised their seven children and lived for 55 years. Wilma was an excellent bookkeeper and worked at Falk's Idaho Department Store and Madison's Furniture Store until her retirement.
After she retired, she and Nile served as ordinance workers at the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple from the day it opened and then for another eleven and one half years. She had a life-long commitment to the LDS church where she served as Primary President, Relief Society President and devoted visiting teacher.
Wilma was a gifted cook and artisan sharing her talents with her family, neighbors and friends. Her hands were never idle. She loved knitting and crocheting but her real claim to fame was the beautiful Barbie doll clothes that she designed and sewed. Her Barbie Doll clothes were sold for many years at Beau Arts in Boise and Mormon Handicraft in Salt Lake City.
Nile and Wilma spent 67 wonderful years together before his passing in November 2009.
Wilma is survived by her children, Steven of the Oregon Coast, Dennis (Pat) of Mill Valley, CA, Dianne Theurer (Ty) of Salt Lake City, UT, Gaylynne Simpson (Gordon) of Boise, ID, Marlene Andersen (Kent) of Idaho Falls, ID, Janet Rogers (Dave) of Boise, ID, and Tracy (Shelli) of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her sisters, Gwen Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Loa Joy Wilding of Lindon, UT.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Nile; her beautiful daughter, Claudia; parents; five brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Goddard Road, LDS Chapel, located at 8620 Goddard Rd., Boise, ID. The family will greet friends at a viewing to be held on Wednesday evening, April, 27th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel at 318 N. Latah St. Boise, Idaho and on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel. Any tributes and condolences can be left at www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
Wilma was born on April 1, 1922, in Rigby, Idaho, to George Sylvester Chapman and Nellie Dowdle Chapman. George was a dairyman and during the summers Wilma and her sisters sold ice cream from a horse drawn cart. Their motto was, "You can whip our cream but you can't beat our milk".
Wilma and her future husband, Nile Baxter Madsen, lived on adjacent Rigby farms. While growing up, Nile used to snitch strawberries from her father's strawberry fields.
After graduating from Rigby High School, Wilma moved to Salt Lake City and attended Henager Business School where Nile was also attending school in the big city. Because they were lonely Idaho farm kids, they became close friends, started dating and fell in love. They were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on February 4, 1942.
While living in Salt Lake City, Wilma gave birth to their first son, Steven. During World War II, Nile served in the Army. After the war, they returned to live in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their first daughter, Claudia was born. Eighteen months later, Claudia died of a childhood illness. Following the death of Claudia, Wilma said, "I never want my arms to be that empty again." That desire never faded, as her eight children, twenty- nine grandchildren and forty-nine great grandchildren were the blessings and the joy of her life to the very end.
In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho and into the little home on Gem Street where they raised their seven children and lived for 55 years. Wilma was an excellent bookkeeper and worked at Falk's Idaho Department Store and Madison's Furniture Store until her retirement.
After she retired, she and Nile served as ordinance workers at the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple from the day it opened and then for another eleven and one half years. She had a life-long commitment to the LDS church where she served as Primary President, Relief Society President and devoted visiting teacher.
Wilma was a gifted cook and artisan sharing her talents with her family, neighbors and friends. Her hands were never idle. She loved knitting and crocheting but her real claim to fame was the beautiful Barbie doll clothes that she designed and sewed. Her Barbie Doll clothes were sold for many years at Beau Arts in Boise and Mormon Handicraft in Salt Lake City.
Nile and Wilma spent 67 wonderful years together before his passing in November 2009.
Wilma is survived by her children, Steven of the Oregon Coast, Dennis (Pat) of Mill Valley, CA, Dianne Theurer (Ty) of Salt Lake City, UT, Gaylynne Simpson (Gordon) of Boise, ID, Marlene Andersen (Kent) of Idaho Falls, ID, Janet Rogers (Dave) of Boise, ID, and Tracy (Shelli) of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her sisters, Gwen Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Loa Joy Wilding of Lindon, UT.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Nile; her beautiful daughter, Claudia; parents; five brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Goddard Road, LDS Chapel, located at 8620 Goddard Rd., Boise, ID. The family will greet friends at a viewing to be held on Wednesday evening, April, 27th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel at 318 N. Latah St. Boise, Idaho and on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel. Any tributes and condolences can be left at www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
A few days after her 89th birthday, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Wilma Janett Chapman Madsen, passed away on April 21, 2011 of natural causes at the home of her daughter. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Wilma was born on April 1, 1922, in Rigby, Idaho, to George Sylvester Chapman and Nellie Dowdle Chapman. George was a dairyman and during the summers Wilma and her sisters sold ice cream from a horse drawn cart. Their motto was, "You can whip our cream but you can't beat our milk".
Wilma and her future husband, Nile Baxter Madsen, lived on adjacent Rigby farms. While growing up, Nile used to snitch strawberries from her father's strawberry fields.
After graduating from Rigby High School, Wilma moved to Salt Lake City and attended Henager Business School where Nile was also attending school in the big city. Because they were lonely Idaho farm kids, they became close friends, started dating and fell in love. They were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on February 4, 1942.
While living in Salt Lake City, Wilma gave birth to their first son, Steven. During World War II, Nile served in the Army. After the war, they returned to live in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their first daughter, Claudia was born. Eighteen months later, Claudia died of a childhood illness. Following the death of Claudia, Wilma said, "I never want my arms to be that empty again." That desire never faded, as her eight children, twenty- nine grandchildren and forty-nine great grandchildren were the blessings and the joy of her life to the very end.
In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho and into the little home on Gem Street where they raised their seven children and lived for 55 years. Wilma was an excellent bookkeeper and worked at Falk's Idaho Department Store and Madison's Furniture Store until her retirement.
After she retired, she and Nile served as ordinance workers at the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple from the day it opened and then for another eleven and one half years. She had a life-long commitment to the LDS church where she served as Primary President, Relief Society President and devoted visiting teacher.
Wilma was a gifted cook and artisan sharing her talents with her family, neighbors and friends. Her hands were never idle. She loved knitting and crocheting but her real claim to fame was the beautiful Barbie doll clothes that she designed and sewed. Her Barbie Doll clothes were sold for many years at Beau Arts in Boise and Mormon Handicraft in Salt Lake City.
Nile and Wilma spent 67 wonderful years together before his passing in November 2009.
Wilma is survived by her children, Steven of the Oregon Coast, Dennis (Pat) of Mill Valley, CA, Dianne Theurer (Ty) of Salt Lake City, UT, Gaylynne Simpson (Gordon) of Boise, ID, Marlene Andersen (Kent) of Idaho Falls, ID, Janet Rogers (Dave) of Boise, ID, and Tracy (Shelli) of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her sisters, Gwen Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Loa Joy Wilding of Lindon, UT.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Nile; her beautiful daughter, Claudia; parents; five brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Goddard Road, LDS Chapel, located at 8620 Goddard Rd., Boise, ID. The family will greet friends at a viewing to be held on Wednesday evening, April, 27th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel at 318 N. Latah St. Boise, Idaho and on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel. Any tributes and condolences can be left at www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
Wilma was born on April 1, 1922, in Rigby, Idaho, to George Sylvester Chapman and Nellie Dowdle Chapman. George was a dairyman and during the summers Wilma and her sisters sold ice cream from a horse drawn cart. Their motto was, "You can whip our cream but you can't beat our milk".
Wilma and her future husband, Nile Baxter Madsen, lived on adjacent Rigby farms. While growing up, Nile used to snitch strawberries from her father's strawberry fields.
After graduating from Rigby High School, Wilma moved to Salt Lake City and attended Henager Business School where Nile was also attending school in the big city. Because they were lonely Idaho farm kids, they became close friends, started dating and fell in love. They were married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on February 4, 1942.
While living in Salt Lake City, Wilma gave birth to their first son, Steven. During World War II, Nile served in the Army. After the war, they returned to live in Idaho Falls, Idaho where their first daughter, Claudia was born. Eighteen months later, Claudia died of a childhood illness. Following the death of Claudia, Wilma said, "I never want my arms to be that empty again." That desire never faded, as her eight children, twenty- nine grandchildren and forty-nine great grandchildren were the blessings and the joy of her life to the very end.
In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho and into the little home on Gem Street where they raised their seven children and lived for 55 years. Wilma was an excellent bookkeeper and worked at Falk's Idaho Department Store and Madison's Furniture Store until her retirement.
After she retired, she and Nile served as ordinance workers at the Boise, Idaho LDS Temple from the day it opened and then for another eleven and one half years. She had a life-long commitment to the LDS church where she served as Primary President, Relief Society President and devoted visiting teacher.
Wilma was a gifted cook and artisan sharing her talents with her family, neighbors and friends. Her hands were never idle. She loved knitting and crocheting but her real claim to fame was the beautiful Barbie doll clothes that she designed and sewed. Her Barbie Doll clothes were sold for many years at Beau Arts in Boise and Mormon Handicraft in Salt Lake City.
Nile and Wilma spent 67 wonderful years together before his passing in November 2009.
Wilma is survived by her children, Steven of the Oregon Coast, Dennis (Pat) of Mill Valley, CA, Dianne Theurer (Ty) of Salt Lake City, UT, Gaylynne Simpson (Gordon) of Boise, ID, Marlene Andersen (Kent) of Idaho Falls, ID, Janet Rogers (Dave) of Boise, ID, and Tracy (Shelli) of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her sisters, Gwen Johnson of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Loa Joy Wilding of Lindon, UT.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Nile; her beautiful daughter, Claudia; parents; five brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Goddard Road, LDS Chapel, located at 8620 Goddard Rd., Boise, ID. The family will greet friends at a viewing to be held on Wednesday evening, April, 27th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Relyea Funeral Chapel at 318 N. Latah St. Boise, Idaho and on Thursday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will follow in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel. Any tributes and condolences can be left at www.relyeafuneralchapel.com.
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