Raeola Rhead

Pocatello - Raeola Jensen Rhead, 84, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012, in Pocatello, Idaho, after a long fulfilling life and has now joyfully joined her loved ones who have long awaited her return. She was born on October 23, 1927, in Shelley, Idaho, to Marple Beaumont Jensen and Gertrude Vivian Gardner Jensen. She attended Shelley schools, graduating in 1945. She completed a cosmetology course and began working as a beautician with her mother and sister Wyonna. Raeola also worked as a beautician for Nalders Funeral Home in Shelley. She married Douglas McFarland Rhead on October 23, 1945, and loved and raised ten children. She worked at the Army Commissary in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where Doug was stationed in World War II. She made a comment that the prisoners of war were very respectful and pleasant. After Douglas's release from the military, they moved back to Grandpa Rhead's farm in Woodville. Three years later they relocated to Rupert, Idaho, where they began farming potatoes. This farming career led them from Woodville to Rupert, to Blackfoot, California, Oregon, and finally to Bannock Creek west of Pocatello. Besides raising ten children, she participated in every aspect of the farming life, working side by side with everyone else. Raeola was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in the Primary, Relief Society, Young Women, and Cub Scouts. She so enjoyed the companionships and friendships from those activities. At the age of 57, she attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, and graduated in 1986 at the age of 59 with a degree in Medical Terminology. Soon after and until her retirement, she worked at Bannock Memorial Hospital in the Medical Records office. She is survived by Douglas, children Ronald (Becky), Kent (Mary Jo), Linda Rasmussen, Randy (Donetta), Sandra (Kevin) Robbins, Richard (Cindy), Stephen, Deborah, Ronda Johnson, Kevin (Lois); 37 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and a very large extended family. She is also survived by two brothers LeOrnal (Helen) Jensen and Ronal Bernell Jensen, and by one sister Joyce Thomason. Raeola was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Wendell Jensen, Wyonna Kruse and Nida Keefer; and son-in-law Wayne Rasmussen. We will miss her so; her twinkly eyes filled with laughter at a good joke, her smiles watching her kids joking banter among themselves, the grand kids and great-grand kids play, giggling at the animated toys she accumulated, her wry sense of humor and quick "come-backs," and even the surly look she had sometimes when you knew she wasn't quite happy with you. A plaque given to her which always made her smile when read said "I love you more today than yesterday! Cuz yesterday you really pissed me off." The family would like to extend their gratitude to Highland Hills Assisted Living and Guardian Hospice for their love and care of our mother. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2012, at the Highland 7 th Ward LDS Chapel, 2000 S. Fairway, Pocatello. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2012, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave. Pocatello, and 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will follow at Fielding Memorial Park in Idaho Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. Fourth Ave. Pocatello. Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at www.colonialfuneralhome.com.