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Melva Potthast, 62
Melva Marie Potthast , 62, of Pine, died at her home June 25, 2007, after a battle with cancer.
Memorial services were held on Friday, June 29, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home, and later that day at Heritage Alliance Church in Twin Falls, to celebrate Melva's life.
Melva was born June 19, 1945, to George and Mae Zimmers in Cottage Grove, Ore. Later her family moved to Idaho where she was married to Jerry Hunter for 23 years. They moved to Twin Falls in 1966, raising three daughters; Janet, Marilyn, and Gerry.
"Anyone who worked with Melva became her friend forever; from Cactus Pete's; George K's; Blue Lakes Country Club, and a Ceramic Shop," her family said.
In 1984 Melva moved to Featherville and married Lyle Potthast. Lyle died in a snowmobile accident in December 1986.
The Featherville and Pine area was always Melva's favorite place. It was there she met Mike Gardea in 1991 and they have been together every since, with their dogs, Frisbee and Aussie. They enjoyed Jeep excursions, traveling to the Oregon coast, Lake Meade, and especially an Alaskan Cruise.
Melva's love of animals was very prevalent, she always had a dog. Living at Pine gave her stories of deer, elk, bears, and mountain lions. Anyone visiting her house was surprised by the number of hummingbirds swarming the feeders, her family noted.
"Melva's compassion and energy was displayed many times as she was always involved in fund raising events in the community," her family said.
Melva is survived by: Mike Gardea "and her entire Pine and Featherville community of friends."
Melva's surviving immediate family include: her mother, Mae Zimmers of Twin Falls; her brother, George Zimmers of Buhl; her sister, Carmen, and her husband, Fred Arellano of Taylorsville, Utah; her sister-in-law, Marie, and her husband, Brian Kersey of Castleford,; three daughters, Janet and her husband, Darvin Phillips, of Ogden, Utah, Marilyn and her husband, Kelly Scott, of Twin Falls, Gerry and her husband, David Grosteffon, of Mahpac, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, George Zimmers, and her brothers, Jesse and Marvin Zimmers, and her sister in law Betty Zimmers.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to any of the many organizations that Melva did fundraisers for, including: Featherville Ambulance, c/o 16 E. Trish Dr., Pine, ID 83647; or the Pregnancy Crisis Center, P.O. Box 2385, Twin Falls, ID 83303.