Idell Gilje

4/7/1924 — 6/13/2014

• Service Date: 6/20/2014

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A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston.

Idell Gilje was born April 7, 1924. She died Friday, June 13, 2014, from complications of pneumonia.

She came from a family of seven and grew up on a farm in Reubens. She worked very hard to get her education, and she spent many days walking to school and getting extra jobs to help pay for her education. Her very best friend was Verla Peterson. Both families shared many good memories together. She finished college and taught elementary education for a few years.

She was a very religious person. Church and God were very important to her. She taught Sunday school for many years and helped with many church programs. She was the first woman to be chairwoman of her church board.

She met her husband, Thor, at a dance in Lewiston. They dated for only a few months and then got married on Sept. 22, 1944. They were married for more than 60 years and had a great love for each other. Idell got roses, jewelry and many other gifts from Thor. They rented farmland in Genesee and later bought their own acreage.

Her hobbies included crocheting, making blankets for everyone, cooking, being an active member of Eastern Star, playing the piano and the organ, reading the Bible and being an Idaho Vandal.

She had two daughters, Janet and Marilyn. They both loved horses and Idell always supported them with the horses and everything they did. Janet died of complications from diabetes in 1992. Janet found happiness with a wonderful husband before she died. Janet was able to do anything with any horse, and that love of horses was also shared by Marilyn. Marilyn has also had horses all her life. Marilyn is married to Dale and they have two children, Lacey and Brad. Idell baby-sat Lacey and Brad while Marilyn finished college at UI. Marilyn taught elementary education for many years.

Idell loved to spoil the grandchildren. They were very special to her and Thor. Lacey is married to Jeff Wilde and they live in the Boise area. Their house is in a mountainous area and they often see elk and deer in their horse pasture. Lacey and Jeff have one horse, three dogs and one cat. Brad is married to Megan and they live in Genesee at the Gilje farmhouse. They have three dogs. Idell loved having her grandkids visit. Idell also spent many holidays in Jerome, Idaho, and Boise with her grandkids. Thor would like to go to Jackpot, Nev., so Idell stayed in Jerome or Boise so she could visit while Thor gambled at the casino in Jackpot.

Idell made the best jam and canned fruits and vegetables. She had a garden and she was known as one of the best cooks in Genesee. She could turn anything into a delicious meal. Janet and Marilyn spent many years making sandwiches and taking food to the field for harvest workers. Idell always had cookies in her cookie jar and coffee ready for Thor when he came in for his coffee break. Idell always had harvest workers for noon and evening meals. Thor and Idell had a bunkhouse for harvest workers who stayed with them for the summer. Idell and Thor loved company, having friends and family out and always having coffee or iced tea and cookies ready for everyone.

A memorial could be made to the Presbyterian Church in Jerome.

Thank you to all friends and relatives who kept Idell in their prayers. A special thank you to Pastor Nate and Pastor Will at the Presbyterian Church in Jerome.

Service Information

Date & Time

Friday, June 20, 2:00 PM

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