Zola Rigby

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of our sweet, fun, feisty mother, Zola C Rigby on April 26, 2024 at age 94 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born February 18, 1930 in Parker, Idaho to Joseph Emmanuel Carlson and Althery Bright Carlson. She was the youngest of eight children – five brothers and two sisters.

She grew up in Parker and Saint Anthony area, helping on the family farm and enjoying the simple life that existed in the 1930s and 1940s. She attended school at Parker-Egin Elementary and South Fremont High school.

Mom invited Dad to a Sadie Hawkins dance in 1947. They were married in Parker, January 25, 1948. They soon became parents of 10 children which were followed by many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mom worked at several occupations throughout her life. She helped cut potato seed for spring planting on the family farm, then drove spud truck during harvest. When her family’s crop was in the cellar, she worked for a couple area farmers and drove truck for them through the end of harvest. She did not shy away from hard work. She worked alongside her husband and sons in the timber industry, was an excellent cook and could easily manage a flattop grill loaded with ribeye steaks. She retired from Basic American Foods as a lab technician.

Mom and Dad loved camping and we loved going with them to the hills. These camping trips created endless happy memories for us and her grandkids. We sat around the campfire talking and laughing till late into the night – except Mom. She would go to bed early, opening the window near her bed so she could listen to what was going on around the fire. Occasionally she would toss out a comment, giggle, or bark at us good naturedly to “shut up and go to bed.” We did not always comply…

She enjoyed keeping tabs on her family. At age 90, her family set up a Facebook account for her and that made her job much easier. Her morning routine began with waking up and getting on Facebook to see what her kids and grandkids had posted. She enjoyed following the travels and the photos we all shared for her to come along on the trips with us. It was important to her to know what everyone was doing.

Mom is survived by her daughter in law Rene Rigby, her children Julie Murri (Dennis), Mickie Rigby (David Hamilton), Tami Warner (Brian), Fawn Whittaker (Don) Robin Klein (Brent), and James Rigby, 32 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren. Mom numbered her bonus grandchildren as her own. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Russell, Neldon, Reed, Grant and Vernon Carlson and her sisters Ruth and Ina, her husband Rulon Eugene Rigby, sons Sherwin, Darwin (Pete), Kevin, and Kelly as well as her grandson Jeffery, great grandson Killian and great granddaughter Maddi Hanni.

Funeral services will be held 11: 00 am Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the LDS Egin Bench Church 1633 East 400 North, Saint Anthony, Idaho with Bishop Brett Johnson officiating. The family will meet with extended family and friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. before the service. A livestream link will be posted on Zola’s obituary at www.flammfh.com.