Velda Jean Birdwell

Velda (Val) Jean Lewis-Birdwell, 72, passed away peacefully in her home Thursday, May 19, 2016. Born in Loomis, California, July 23, 1943, to Bill and Aleta Robinson, Velda grew up in the Sacramento area where she graduated from C.K. McClatchy Senior High School. Married to Roy A. Lewis and, later divorced, she was blessed with three children: Lori (David Kelley) Kreisher, of Chipley, Florida; Joe (Jody) Lewis, of Pocatello and Lisa (Ed Springman) Lewis, of Kalispell, Montana. She also became the guardian of her grandchild, Shellie, of Pocatello and was blessed with three grandchildren: Tifani, Emerald and Jacque, and great-grandchildren Adrien, D.J. and J.W. of Pocatello. When she married her beloved James M. Birdwell, Sr., she "acquired" his five grown children: Debra (Elliot) Winkler, of Salt Lake City, Utah; James M Birdwell, Jr., of Ft. Hall; Vonnie (Bob) Bitton, of Pocatello; Jennifer (Wes) Womack, of Pocatello; and John (Kim) Birdwell, of Chesapeake, Virginia; and several great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Thelma (Dan) Prader, of Kingsmen, Arizona, with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both parents and two brothers and a sister. During her high school days, she was a member of the Girls Athletic Association and loved to play all kinds of sports. In later years, her favorite activity was watching her kids and grandkids play their chosen sports. Her family was all that mattered to her, everything else was secondary. Val worked in the clerical field all her professional life where she maintained a reputation of excellence. She spent 16 years at the Southeastern Idaho District Health Department and served as President of the Employee Development Association for many years until her health forced her to retire in 1994. A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2016 from 4-6 pm at Colonial Funeral Home 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83201, 208-233-1500. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 2:30 pm with a viewing for one hour prior to the service also at Colonial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, ID 83204. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made, in her name, directly to the Shriners Hospital, in Salt Lake City, Utah, or to the Jokers, Pocatellos Shrine clowns.

Visitation

05/23/2016 13:30

13:30:00

LDS Portneuf Building

8200 W. Portneuf Rd

Pocatello

Idaho

83204



Visitation

05/22/2016 16:00

18:00:00

Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201



Funeral Service

05/23/2016 14:30



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201