Melba Haskett

Melba Baker Haskett, age 69, passed away on May 8, 2010, at a local care facility from complications resulting from diabetes. She was born August 12, 1940 at Fort Hall, Idaho to Mary Broncho Matte and her father Joe Baker. In her early years she was raised by her grandparents Evelyn and Lorenzo Hootchew while her mother was in Portland, Oregon, helping with the war effort welding on naval ships. Melba resided in the Bannock Creek area on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation her entire life. She attended the Bannock Creek day school until she started Jr. high school and then high school in American Falls, and also attended Chemawa Indian School at Salem, Oregon for one year. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held various callings within the church that she enjoyed immensely. Melba married Mayo Haskett On October 23, 1957 that lasted fifty-two years and resulted in four children that they raised locally in Bannock Creek. She enjoyed being outdoors and hunting small and large game. No fish was safe when she had a fishing pole in her hand and a can of worms. When her grandchildren arrived they became the focal point of her life where she would travel to watch them dance at Pow-Wows or compete in 4H and rodeos. She loved doing beadwork, sewing, and making quilts for her children and grandchildren. She worked for 25 years for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes as a records management supervisor until her retirement. Melba enjoyed her career and many friends she made while working for the Tribes and missed them dearly when she had to retire. Survivors include her husband, Mayo, sisters Geri (Howard) Doore, Fort Hall, Idaho, Jennifer Christy, Pocatello, Idaho, her brother Bill Matte, Fort Hall, Idaho; her children Bret (Melanie) Haskett, Russell (Bobbete) Haskett, Andrea (Leo) Ramone, and Karen (Hunter) Osborne. She is also survived by the loves of her life, her nine grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. Melba was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eileen Hootchew, and brother-in-law Stanley Christy and sister-in-law Rose Matte. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the 9th Ward LDS Chapel, 3444 Hawthorne Road with Bishop Willard Larsen officiating. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at Bannock Creek Cemetery.