In Loving Memory of
My dad called me at 10:00pm Wednesday night telling me the funeral would be on Saturday. It takes a good 2 day drive to get from where I live in Illinois to Blackfoot, Idaho where all my extended family lives. My boys still had a few days left of school before their last day and none of us were packed or ready in any way to go on a trip. I kept going back and forth on what to do and then I just decided that this was something that I would really regret if I missed. So at 11:00pm while my boys were all sleeping I packed 4 suitcases, one for each of them and then one for myself. Grabbed the pack-n-play for at the hotel stay for Roman and gathered snacks/treats/drinks for the ride there. The boys were surprised we were leaving once they woke up in the morning and were a bit sad that they wouldn't get to spend their last days at school with their friends, but that quickly was forgotten once they focused on seeing cousins and their Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mindy. We stopped by their school first thing and emptied their desks, signed any finalizing paperwork, and handed back textbooks and took home any extra supplies they had left over from the year. A swing by McDonalds for breakfast and we were off to tackle the 1,400 + miles --23 hour drive to Idaho to be there in time for the funeral. I really wish Nathan could have gone with us, but being last minute he couldn't get work off, but he was a big support to me making sure I had everything I might need and to take the time out there that I needed. Not the best circumstances to go and see my family, but grateful for a supportive husband that helps make trips like this possible in the first place for me. Her funeral was wonderful and it was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and immediate family. My grandma loved a big party--a crowd full and did she every get it! So many people came and supported our family.
Winona Avilda Searle Thompson
September 9, 1924 - May 27, 2014
In May my Grandma Thompson passed away. She was an extraordinary woman and everyone who knew her loved and admired her for her strength, love, compassion and testimony. She was staying in an assisted living facility where she had her own apartment that had a good sized bedroom, bathroom, living area and small kitchen. She had a family member visit her each and everyday, often taking her out to dinner or lunch, or just have an outing for the day. Her thoughts were often on her late husband and children and would frequently get confused thinking she needed to get home to get dinner on the table for her husband and hard working children who worked on the family farm. She was a busy body when she felt like she should be working on something she always was determined to get things done. On a confused day, she was able to pack a small bag and exit the facility. That day it was overly busy due to the fact that there had been a death in the memory care unit and many family members of the deceased were coming in and out of the locked areas. Somehow she got out of multiple locked areas and left the grounds of the assisted living facility and was found face down in a ditch that she must have fallen down into several blocks away. She also had burns on the backs of her legs and it is thought that she sat against either a hot car or on the pavement while she was figuring out where to go. My uncle found her and they rushed her to the near by hospital. Her face had been smashed it and breathing was difficult. A few days after being in the hospital Grandma passed away. Grandma was healthy and well with the exception of loss of memory at times. It came as a shock the events that lead to her passing. My father and his siblings had multiple meetings with the assisted living facility and made sure that this was not going to happen to any other residents.
My dad called me at 10:00pm Wednesday night telling me the funeral would be on Saturday. It takes a good 2 day drive to get from where I live in Illinois to Blackfoot, Idaho where all my extended family lives. My boys still had a few days left of school before their last day and none of us were packed or ready in any way to go on a trip. I kept going back and forth on what to do and then I just decided that this was something that I would really regret if I missed. So at 11:00pm while my boys were all sleeping I packed 4 suitcases, one for each of them and then one for myself. Grabbed the pack-n-play for at the hotel stay for Roman and gathered snacks/treats/drinks for the ride there. The boys were surprised we were leaving once they woke up in the morning and were a bit sad that they wouldn't get to spend their last days at school with their friends, but that quickly was forgotten once they focused on seeing cousins and their Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mindy. We stopped by their school first thing and emptied their desks, signed any finalizing paperwork, and handed back textbooks and took home any extra supplies they had left over from the year. A swing by McDonalds for breakfast and we were off to tackle the 1,400 + miles --23 hour drive to Idaho to be there in time for the funeral. I really wish Nathan could have gone with us, but being last minute he couldn't get work off, but he was a big support to me making sure I had everything I might need and to take the time out there that I needed. Not the best circumstances to go and see my family, but grateful for a supportive husband that helps make trips like this possible in the first place for me. Her funeral was wonderful and it was great to see so many of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and immediate family. My grandma loved a big party--a crowd full and did she every get it! So many people came and supported our family.
Winona Avilda Searle Thompson
September 9, 1924 - May 27, 2014
Life Sketch
2 older brothers, 3 younger brothers
went to seminar-was seminar president
meet Garth as a junior-dated 5 years
attended Business college very good with numbers...WWII began 1942
1944 Garth was drafted/was given 5 day leave/came home and married Winona in the
Salt Lake City Temple. Garth served 2 years in the war and came home to a wife and son.
Winona was the mother of 9 children. 7 boys and 2 girls
She was an extremely hard worker and served those around her throughout her life.
She loved having a big family and adding to it as grandkids and great-grandkids came along.
She found time for vacations--We had a big family trips that involved all her children and their families: California, Kansas, Disneyworld the Thompson Cabin etc.
Winona was very active and on the go.
She could make simple things exciting and an adventure, even at the grocery store.
Strong-direct-compassionate
Things she lived by:
"When someone asks you to do something,-say 'I'd be happy to do it'" (quote from her own father)
Endure, keep going through hard times & keep your testimony
Put God first. Visiting Teaching was very important to her - Always paid tithing.
SERVICE AT ALL TIMES
do complain-but laugh instead of cry
Work hard=approach life with optimism.
"You know better" is all she have to say to give direction to her kids at times
Couldn't watch others work. Would find her working in the fields in a church dress after meeting
"If your not early....You're late!"
Firecracker!
Loved to party. Loved a crowd. Was an excellent Hostess, made reasons to have a party where she did most of the work but loved it. At 79 yrs old she went tubing on the lake and had a blast!
-Always lasts to sit down
Made family traditions of firework get togethers, magical Christmas's with Santa visits, talent shows
Made each grandkid feel special on birthdays, Christmas with hand picked gifts thought out for each child, attended concerts, games, baptisms, blessing, weddings, etc.
Made blankets for babies and graduation grandkids.
Selfless
Always last to sit down. Thought of herself last. Gave of her time and money to others in need. Always willing to babysit. Has 37 Grandkids and 80 Great Grandkids and did special things with each one. Made elaborate meals, serving her family and was the last to eat because she was just making sure everyone else had what they needed.
Said she just wanted her children to walk in TRUTH.
Family is most important
Value in Hard word- Do your duty-Thank you notes were not optional.
Enjoy Life
Great cook! Made homemade jams- caramels -cookies
Sewed doll clothes for granddaughters toy dolls.
Enjoyed little things like a bit of perfume
Said that flowers can "Cheer ya right up"
When she had medical tests or shots to take she hardly complained, instead said things like:
"That wasn't too bad now was sit".... or "Don't feel too chirpy, but it will pass"
On bad weather or trails... "We'll take it, we have to"
Life Lessons From Our Mother
From our mother we learn to pick clods and top beets,
while never forgetting to sleep in clean sheets.
From our mother we learn to serve others with care,
that there's nothing more important than family we share.
From our mother we learn to be clean and dress nice.
Ladies wear lipstick was her advice.
From our mother we learn to sing from the best,
rocking babies to sleep nestled into her chest.
From our mother, we learn how your back can quite ache,
from standing in the field or baking a cake.
From our mother we learn to skate, swim, and play.
Because being a mother should be fun, don't you say?
From our mother we learn about scriptures so true.
Her example and testimony always shines through.
From our mother we learn that moments simple and good,
are etched in our memories just as they should.
From our mother we learn to cherish moments each day.
and all hope to be like her in every way.
From our mother we learn that people matter more than possessions,
material things were never an obsession.
From our mother we know when we look in her eyes
that God is for real and there are no goodbyes.
Written for Grandma from Amy.
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