Dorothy Grace Palmer

CHUBBUCK " Dorothy Grace Palmer, 97, passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, surrounded by her family after being ill for several months.

Grace was born September 29, 1911 in Indian Springs, Martin County, Indiana. She was the seventh of eleven children born to Walter and Mattie (Lloyd) Mattingly. Her family moved to Rockland, Idaho when she was four years old. There, she was raised and educated.

Grace met and later married Hyrum Martin Palmer in October 1926. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the Blackrock area south of Pocatello where they operated a farm. That marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They had four children, Billie Jeanne, Helen, Harold , and Roberta.

Grace later went back to school to become trained as a Licensed Practitioner Nurse and worked at Bannock Memorial Hospital for over 25 years in Pediatrics. Upon retiring, she and Martin enjoyed traveling together to many anticipated destinations. After Martin's death in 1982, Grace served a mission among the Navajo Indians in Arizona and was instrumental to 39 people choosing to be baptized. The winter after her mission was spent in St. George, Utah where she occupied her time performing temple work. She sold her home at Blackrock and moved to Chubbuck in 1990 where she lived until her death.

Grace was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served faithfully in many capacities and loved her work. She loved flowers and especially enjoyed those grown in her yard.

Grace is survived by her daughters, Billie Jeanne Croxall, Chubbuck; Helen Deuel, Cave Junction, Oregon; son, Harold Martin Palmer, El Dorado, California; and the rest of her 104 living descendents. She was preceded in death by her husband, siblings, youngest daughter, Roberta Rowley, granddaughter, Amber Stewart, and grandson, Martin Kees.

The Grace Palmer family wishes to extend a heart-felt thank you to the care and devotion provided by Idaho Home Health and Hospice, especially Shane; and to the many neighbors and friends that have supported them during this time.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2008, with Bishop Gary Hirschi of the Chubbuck LDS 5th Ward conducting. The family will receive friends at a viewing from 9:30-10:45 prior to the services at the funeral home. The interment will follow the services at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.