Rilla Ayre

Rilla Iona Ayre, 94 passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 11, 2014. Rilla was born March 15, 1920 in Soda Springs, Idaho to Ira and Ellen Perkins. The family moved briefly to the old American Falls Townsite where her father, with his horses, helped build the American Falls Dam. The family returned to Soda Springs where Rilla graduated from Soda Springs High School, Class of 1938. During her teenage years Rilla worked as a waitress at a Soda Springs café and malt shop. From a young age, Rilla had a very independent and strong willed nature that served her well throughout her life including the time she snuck out of her parent's house to go to the Stampede Park in Soda Springs where an open air dance was being held. It was at this dance that she met the love of her life, Joe Ayre. Shortly after high school, that independent nature took Rilla to Los Angeles with a dear friend and Rilla's car named "Asthma". She worked and lived in LA for a couple of years then returned to Southeast Idaho where she married Joseph Reed Ayre on June 6, 1945. Joe and Rilla moved to Pocatello where their three children were born. Rilla worked several years at Montgomery Wards and then for 27 years as a bookkeeper for ITT Grinnell from which she retired. Rilla and Joe loved to play cards and go camping with friends. Rilla was an avid bowler and bowled until she was 92 even though she suffered extensively from macular degeneration. She was a talented painter and enjoyed classes and spending time with friends at the Pocatello Art Center. Rilla loved getting all dressed up with her high heels and bling even strutting her stuff on her 90th birthday. Rilla especially loved spending time with her family and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rilla is survived by her loving sister, Darlene Telford, daughter and son, Vicki (Larry) Forgeon and Mike (Thais) Ayre, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings, her husband, Joe Ayre and son, Gary Ayre.

The family would like to send a thank you to Friends and Family Home Health Care, the staff at Community Care, Quinn Meadows and Encompass Home Health and Hospice. In addition, the family wants to extend a special thank you to Dale and Betty Orth who checked in on Rilla often and to Theresa Hardy for her daily calls and frequent visits. Your love of Rilla was such a comfort for her.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road. A private interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.