Eva Helen Packard

Eva Helen Packard, 81, died October 15, 2013, following a long courageous battle with cancer with family by her side.

She was born on February 28, 1932 in Malad, Idaho, the daughter of Jonah Leslie Morse Evans and Sarah Ella Daniels. She was born at home being premature and weighed around 3 lbs. Her incubator was a shoe box on the oven door of the cook stove. She was welcomed by two older sisters, she adored Ella and Mildred.

In 1933 when she was around one, the family moved to Pocatello when her father went to work for Garrett Transfer Co. Her father was then transferred to Los Angeles in 1934, and so the family resided there for a short period of time before returning to Pocatello.

She attended 1st grade at Blackrock which was out in the country then, in a one room classroom which held grades 1st through 6th. Later she attended Emerson Elementary, Irving Junior High School and Pocatello High School, graduating in 1950. She then attended the Grimm's School of Business. She also worked part time as an usherette at the historic Chief Theater.

She married Jerry Lynn Packard May 16, 1959. The marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS temple March 16, 1965.

She was employed as a secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 449 from 1951 until 1994 when she retired. She was honored many times for her years of dedicated service by the membership. She became known as "Our Girl Friday."

She was a member of the LDS church having filled many teaching positions in Sunday school, and she also worked in the Young Women's program and in Relief Society as a visiting teacher, along with performing her Compassionate Service calling. She also loved doing family genealogy work.

She was a sports enthusiast with her children and grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, antiques, camping and spending time at the family cabin in Island Park. She made many friends walking at Fred Meyers, and as a mall walker. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all.

She is survived by her Husband Jerry Lynn Packard, two sons Richard "Rick" Lynn Packard of Ammon; Gary Lynn (Laree) Packard of Pocatello; one daughter Wendy Lynne (Randall W.) Astin of Hayden Lake; six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren with another one on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one infant brother Melvin D. Evans, and two sisters Ella D. Parker and Mildred D. Rutter.

As per her wishes cremations has been completed under the direction of Wilks Funeral Home. Family will receive friends at a gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2013 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road.

The family would like to thank Portneuf Cancer Center, Alliance Home Health and Hospice–especially JoAnne, Larry, Kelly and Fern, and also the staff at Care One for their loving care of our angel mother.

Donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.