Ila Rupp

Ila Grace Burnham Rupp, 97, of Nampa passed away on March 23, 2012. Ila was born April 26, 1914 in Ora, Idaho to Jasper Franklin Burnham and Hannah Melvina Bowman Burnham. She was third daughter of seven girls and two sons, one dying shortly after birth. Ila entered this world like a lion developing pneumonia her first year of life and passed away peacefully like a lamb also with pneumonia. Ila lived in the Ashton area for her first ten years and then the family moved to Pocatello where she graduated from Pocatello High School in 1932. On August 30, 1933 she married Mahlon Rupp. They had four children, Jim, Gail, Brenda, and Doug. They resided until 1966 in Pocatello when they moved to Idaho Falls for Mahlon's work, returning to Pocatello in 1972. In 2000 they moved to Nampa to be close to family. Ila was a good writer and had one of her stories published in a magazine. In 2000 she wrote her life story, where she stated how things have changed with the following quote "We ran barefoot through freshly plowed fields, carried water from a river for every household need; and stuck our heads down the toilet hole while our friends counted ten when "caught" in the game of 'Run, My, Sheepy, Run.'" Ila was a homemaker with many hobbies. She loved to read, play cards, knit, crochet and in later years, with her family grown, took up bowling--won many trophies; golf--had three "holes in one"; ceramics, and loved oil paintinga�"painting many beautiful pictures which she shared with her family. In 1976 after Mahlon retired they split their time between Pocatello and Yuma, Arizona and fishing off the Washington coast for salmon. They were married for 78 years. They were eternally devoted to the very end. Mahlon kissed her good-by and she quietly went to sleep. The following poem by Charlotte Pease is how she concluded her life story. Staying Young The spirit never ages. The essence of the soul Is sure and strong forever And keeps us young and whole! The body shows that time has passed When lines enrich the face, When sight and hearing weaken, When movement lacks in grace; And yet we know that deep within We're winsome, bright and fair, Just as we were when we were young And life was ours to dare! Ila is preceded in death by her parents and her eight siblings--the last to go. She is survived by her husband, Mahlon 101 years old and her four children: James Rupp (Sharon) of Naples Florida, Gail Caudill Fogg (Jim) of Nampa, Brenda Busacker (Bill) of Nampa, and Doug Rupp (Jessica) of Index, Washington. Her grandchildren are Julie Rupp Dasher of Minnesota, Sandra Rupp of Florida, Steve Rupp of Minnesota, Greg Fletcher of Washington, Cindy Fletcher Tyler of Washington, Kathryn Fletcher Sigler of Washington, Brandon Busacker of Boise, Bret Busacker of Eagle, and Kristal Busacker Herrick of Melba, and Erin Qadir of Washington. She has 22 great grandchildren Funeral services for Ila will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, 83201. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.