Obituary for Reva Lucille Paulsen Richards - East Idaho News
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Obituary

Reva Lucille Paulsen Richards

October 31st, 1930 - October 18th, 2018

On October 18th, 2018 at 6:48 p.m, Reva Lucille Paulsen Richards quietly slipped through the veil at the age of 87, with her three daughters at her side.

Reva was born on October 31st 1930, in Lewisville Idaho. This meant she had to share her birthday with the trick or treaters and hunters. She graciously made the sacrifice and made it a wonderful holiday for her family.

She was the second daughter of LaFrancis Bernard Paulsen and Edith Jane Sharp.

She attended elementary school in Lewisville, Idaho. Her sister recalls how they harvested the potatoes in order to buy their clothing. This activity started when they were only 8 and 9 year olds. This explains her dedicated work ethic. She graduated from Midway High School in 1948, at which time she followed her older sister Mabel to Brigham Young University where they enjoyed the company of the young men at the activities. It was at one of these matinee dances where she surprised her sister with the announcement of her engagement to her sweetheart, Coey Daniel Richards. They were married September 20, 1949 in the Salt Lake City Temple.

While attending college, they were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Sandra Ranae Richards. In 1951, Reva’s mother passed away and Reva promised to take care of her little sister Geraldine. Coey and Reva treated her as though she were their own daughter.

After Coey’s graduation, he began work for the Union Pacific Railroad. They settled in Nampa, Idaho where they were blessed with a son Drew Daniel, followed by a daughter Sheila Darlene. In 1962, after much separation due to Coey’s career with the railroad, they moved to Pocatello, Idaho where they both resided until their death. While in Pocatello, after eight years since the birth of Sheila and many attempts to enlarge their family they were blessed with another daughter Sheryl Kaye and nearly three years later Shannon Lynn was born to complete their family.

Reva enjoyed working with little children and Coey worked hard to complete the basement so she could have an in home Kindergarten. After kindergarten became part of the public school, she began helping in various jobs in the school.

In August of 1986, after much hard work and dedication, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Independent Studies, which she utilized while substitute teaching throughout Pocatello School District 25.

Reva treasured her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. Though all were important, it was her Stake and Ward primary callings where she touched the hearts of many little children. She was privileged to serve in the Idaho Falls Temple for 18 years.

As the children grew and began leaving the home, Coey and Reva found much enjoyment in the local Square Dancing Group and attended national Square Dance Jamborees.

Many in the Pocatello area knew Coey and Reva as avid walkers. They moved out and covered a lot of territory on their walks and at one point were part of the Pineridge Mall Pacers. Reva also was dedicated to her water aerobics three times a week right up until she developed pneumonia last December.

When all the children were married, Coey and Reva fulfilled an honorable mission to Salt Lake City where they served in the Family History Center. Many wonderful friends were made during this service.

In her retirement years, she still had a great desire to serve the children and served as a foster grandparent in Tendoy, Green Acres, and Syringa elementary school. It broke her heart when the falls prevented her from going back to the schools.

Reva was preceded in death by her parents, and two younger sisters, Fern Francis Paulsen Cave and Geraldine Edith Paulsen Lukehart. Her daughter, Sandra Ranae Scott, two sister in laws, Dian Richards Frank and Glenna Lee Richards Nichols, and their husbands. Her eternal sweetheart, Coey Daniel Richards and her great granddaughter Bella Anne Hanson.

She is survived by her children Dr. Drew Richards (Christine Komoda), Ivins, Utah, Sheila Lowe, (Randy), West Point, Utah, Sheryl Richards, Pocatello, Idaho and Shannon Harmon (Dean Roger), Highland, Utah. One sister, Mabel Ellen Mortensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho, one brother, Weldon Paulsen, Billings, Montana, her brother in law, Tim Lukehart, Spring, Texas and her son in law Stanley C Scott. Her legacy includes 13 grandchildren and soon to be 20 great grandchildren.

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