LaRue Stockham

Wendell- LaRue Gold Stockham, 87 of Wendell ID, Passed away of natural causes at her home on Thursday February 11, 2016, surrounded by her 7 daughters.

She was born to William Alfonzo Gold and Eunice Evelene Anderson Gold on May 22, 1928 in Wendell. She was an unexpected surprise, arriving 1 hour and 20 minutes after her twin sister LaRae. Later a brother Ivan, and another sister, Idella joined the family.

She was a life-long resident of Wendell, attending schools there and graduating from Wendell High School. This is where she met and started dating her sweetheart Walter Stockham Jr. Some of their favorite dating activities were, enjoying milkshakes at the café, an occasional 10 cent movie or dance at the old church. While they were in high school Walter was drafted into the Army during WWII. This started an exchange of tender love letters, and they were married 10 days after his return on December 8, 1946. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.

LaRue and Walter worked side by side on their family farm for over 60 years.  They were blessed with seven daughters during this time who also worked on the farm.

LaRue was a faithful member of the LDS church and served many callings including relief society and primary president. She especially loved being a dedicated visiting teacher and was Walter’s biggest supporter in his many Boy Scout activities. LaRue truly loved serving others.

LaRue was famous for her hot rolls, cinnamon rolls, donuts, bread, pies and more. She loved sharing these with others in need.  Growing flowers and working in the garden were favorite activities. She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and twin sister to LaRae. She was happiest when her home was filled with those she loved.

LaRue is survived by her seven daughters and “seven amazing sons”, Debbie (Wayne) Chandler of Wendell, ID; Pam (John) Miller of American Fork, UT; Jan (Cliff) Harris of Boise,ID; Lana (Floyd) Lamm of Wendell, ID; Tammy (Mark) Catmull of Albion, ID; Sherri (David) Duro of Eagle, ID; and Becci (Rob) Connell of Wendell, ID; 25 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her twin sister LaRae (Ardell) Haberman of Jerome, ID. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter (2007), her sister Idella, her brother Ivan, and her parents.

To our loving mother:  You have been the heart and soul of our family.   Thank you for creating our home, so that Wendell, and the farm, were the best places on earth.  Memories of our late night laughs, and talks around the table are priceless.  Your example of being a loving wife, mother, and sister are beyond compare.  Thank you for constantly searching for a reason to gather back home where the amazing smells of endless homemade food were always abundant.

Thank you for your kindness, your patience, your understanding, and your example of hard work and service.  Thank you for showing us how to love unconditionally.  Your rush to the door with a wave goodbye will be an everlasting memory.

We love you now and forever!  Bye for now.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 16 , at the Wendell LDS Church, 605 N. Idaho St. in Wendell.  A visitation will be held Monday evening, Feb. 15 , at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S. Lincoln in Jerome, where family & friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. and again one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.  Interment will follow in the Wendell Cemetery in Wendell.