Geraldine Wiscombe Astle

Gerry was born September 9,1934 to Joseph William Wiscombe and Helen Lorna Whiting in Mapleton, Utah and passed away December 23, 2024 in Gooding, Idaho. Gerry was the oldest of three children.

Mom attended school in Mapleton and graduated from Mapleton High School. After graduating she got a job at a drug store working behind the counter serving ice cream. She used to say everyone wanted her to serve them because she always added a little extra ice cream to their malts. She also worked at the Boy Scout Office for a time.

Mom liked the outdoors, especially the mountains. Growing up she loved to ride horses with her dad and Uncle Elmer at her parents’ ranch.

Mom wasn’t afraid of hard work. She hoed beets on the farm, worked at the pea cannery, picked cherries and various other jobs on the farm. The one thing she hated was killing chickens and plucking the feathers.

Mom married Sem Dutson Astle on December 10,1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. In May 1962 they moved to Dietrich with 4 small children and began farming and milking cows. Mom would get up early every morning, milk the cows and go in the house to make sure her kids were ready for school and off to seminary.

Mom survived many obstacles in her life, some of them being taken by a bull, freezing her foot, COVID and various surgeries. Mom always said, “I’m going to keep fighting.” And she did right to the end.

Her favorite job later in life was cooking at the Dietrich School. She said the kids needed fresh food for their lunches and she enjoyed making them cinnamon rolls.

Mom was known for her yarn collection and all her unfinished projects. She liked to crochet, embroidery, and make plastic canvas villages. Often in the winter you would find mom at the table, in front of the living room window, drawing or making puzzles.

Mom was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings throughout her life, Primary President, Relief Society President, Scout Leader, Teacher and Visiting Teacher. She loved the youth. She was always so happy when the boys she taught, would come visit her, with their families. She would often say, “I must have done something right, you know a little kindness goes along ways.”

Mom was preceded in death by husband, Sem; three sons, Jeff, Brad and Rick; and one grandson, Tyler. Surviving children include Debra (Kelly) of Kimberly; Brenda (Matt) of Wendell; Doug (Janis) of Montana; Sherrie (Brian) of Utah; and Jed (Leslie) of Blackfoot; 27 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers that took care of mom, the many community people that would always rescue her and the many friends that would stop by to visit. A very special thank you to Dusty and Cherie. She wouldn’t have been able to stay in her home for as long as she did without their loving care.

A viewing will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, January 3, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dietrich, Idaho. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Saturday, January 4, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dietrich, Idaho. Grave dedication will conclude at Shoshone Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Gerry’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.