Obituaries

Dale Hansen -- 1923-2008

Dale Hansen, 84, of Idaho Falls passed away on April 26, 2008 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Dale was born July 8, 1923 at Howe, Butte Co, Idaho to John Moore and Edna Peterson Hansen. He attended school through the eighth grade in the Little Lost River Valley and high school at the Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah and Arco High School in Arco, Idaho. After high school he worked on the family farm near Howe.

In 1945 he married Joyce Humphries and shortly thereafter joined the army. He served in the Philippines and on the islands of Guam, Luzon, and Leyte. Following his discharge from the Army in November of 1946 he resumed farming in the Little Lost River Valley. He and Joyce divorced in 1948 and in 1950 he married Joan Grace Coumerilh. They were married for 53 years and together raised two sons. They farmed and ranched in the Little Lost River Valley until the summer of 1970 when the family moved to Idaho Falls where Dale pursued a career as a heavy equipment operator and building insulator. Over the next 25 years he worked on a wide variety of roads, bridges, dams and large buildings within the intermountain area. In addition to working long hours on construction Dale also cared for Joan, who was chronically ill from 1970 until her death in 2004.

Dale was a long-term member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Arco and the American Legion Post 56 in Idaho Falls. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and in his younger days hunting and snowmobiling. He is survived by his sons Larry (Christine) Hansen of Boise, Idaho and John (Debi) Hansen of Farmington, New Mexico; granddaughters Maren Hansen of Boise and Emily Hays of Denver, Colorado; a brother Wendell (LaDene) Hansen of Idaho Falls; two nieces, Wendy Johnson of Rigby, Idaho and Nicky Donnelly of Idaho Falls; nephews Jay Lawson of Idaho Falls and Wayne Hansen of Richland, Washington. Dale was preceded in death by his parents John and Edna Hansen, his wife Joan, and his brother Mark.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Hawker Lost River Funeral Chapel at 345 Sunset Drive in Arco. The family greeted guests for one hour prior to the services.

Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco. The Arco VFW post provided final military rites at the cemetery.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Erma E. Rodgers -- 1915-2008

Erma E. Rodgers, 92, of Blackfoot, passed away Friday, May 16, 2008, at the Bingham Extended Care Facility. She was born August 5, 1915, in Blackfoot, to Frederick G. and Ida Lenkiet Wieland. She was raised and attended school in Blackfoot.

After leaving Blackfoot she lived in Howe, Butte Co., and Tetonia, returning to live in Blackfoot in 1975. She married John Rodgers in June 1932. They made their home in Blackfoot. He preceded her in death in 1982.

She worked as a ranch cook for Little Land and Live Stock in Howe for 35 years. She always made a clean place to eat and you never left hungry. During her lifetime she was very active in two churches, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in the Relief Society; and the Little Lost Community Church in Howe. She was instrumental in the building of the church and participated in all its programs.

She was a member of the Ladies Aid in Howe. She worked hard for the communities she lived in and was very supportive to all the activities and people. She was a foster grandparent, helped in the Blackfoot School District and the State Hospital South. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, quilting, and playing bingo and pinochle. She is survived by her son, David (Gloria) of Blackfoot; grandson, Dave John (former wife Lisa) Rodgers and their children, Jake "Polecat" and Jacy "Punkin doodle," and "the Jasper"; granddaughter, Melissa "Missy" (Bryce) Brewer and their children, Jonathan "Bever," Justin "Rat"; and sister, Elna Hunter of Blackfoot. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents; brother, Elmer; sisters, Pauline Meese and Lillie Skillit; and half-brothers, John and Charles.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Hawker Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and for one hour before services Wednesday, both at the funeral home. Memorial services will be held at the Little Lost Community Church in Howe at a later date. Interment will be in the Howe Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Foster Grandparents, P.O. Box 400, Blackfoot, ID 83221.