Rosella Wilkinson Obituary (1935

Rosella Marie Pierson Wilkinson, 74, of Springville, Utah (formally of Blackfoot, Idaho) passed away Sunday, May 30, 2010 after a brave life of health problems and trials. Rosella was born August 4, 1935, in Aberdeen, Idaho, to Gilbert Pierson and Alta Peterson and was the third of 4 children and only daughter. Her siblings are Lloyd Pierson (deceased), Max Pierson (deceased) and Ned Pierson (deceased). She grew up in Aberdeen, Idaho, attending Aberdeen High School. She attended college in California and finished her BA degree at Idaho State University with her mother in Elementary Education. On August 15, 1963, Rosella married Donald Lamar Wilkinson in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Following their marriage they lived in Blackfoot, Idaho until their health made it necessary for them to have more help to ensure their safety and that their needs were met. In August of 2006, they moved to Springville, Utah to live with their daughter, Donette (Tom) Robertson and her family. During the years that she lived in Blackfoot, she worked for the Blackfoot, School District, as an elementary school teacher in mostly the 2nd and 3rd grades for 36 years. She had taught 2 years in Grace, Idaho prior to that. She is listed in the Smithsonian as a Masters Teacher nominated by one of her MANY students. Rosella touched the lives of many children. She desired to help in the classrooms even while in a wheelchair, sharing her art skills and love for reading with students. Throughout her life she was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a longtime member of the Blackfoot Third Ward. She served in many positions. She knew and practices the true love of charity caring for many widows and friends in her neighborhood, never thinking of herself, only others. She was very crafty enjoying knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch and crochet as well as many other things she could do with her hands. In her younger years as a mother, she would take her daughter, nieces, nephews and foster Indian children on vacations never missing a chance to teach. She is survived by her husband, Donald and her daughter Donette (Tom) Robertson of Springville, Utah. She is the grandmother to 4 darling grandsons: Thomas, Aaron, Stephan and Kaelob Dance and 2 granddaughters, Elizabeth and Kelsey Robertson. She has adopted many friends (Including Matt Rainey and Mike Creviston) as grandsons as well. Foster mom to Debbie, Ronita, Marie, Beverly, Deana, Ivora and Marie from the LDS Indian Placement program. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, June 7, 2010 at the LDS Utah Valley Deaf Ward Chapel, 835 South 500 West, Provo, Utah. Family will meet with friends and relatives from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm at the church prior to the services. Interment will follow at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery following the services. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.bergmortuary.com or info@bergmortuary.com.