Leona G. Butikofer

Leona G. Butikofer, age 98 of Coltman died at her home, Friday, September 14, 2007. She was born Jan 13, 1909 at Labelle, a daughter of Jens Christian Gundersen and Karoline Louise Andersen Gundersen. She was raised and attended schools in the Rigby area and was a classmate of Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of the television. August 28, 1928, she married Walter Hyrum Butikofer in Idaho Falls; their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. She, along with her husband and family farmed in the Coltman area for 79 years. Leona was a member of the LDS church and served in the Primary and Relief Society. She was well known for her gardening and flower gardening, she enjoyed hand work; crocheting, knitting and tatting, she also enjoyed artwork and oil painting and was an excellent cook. She is survived by her children; Lenora (Orlin) Ford of Bountiful, UT, Carol Peterson of Moreland, Deanna (Dale) Spaulding of Idaho Falls, Merle (Ulene) Butikofer of Rigby, Linden (Lois) Butikofer of Idaho Falls and Don (Gaila) Butikofer of Coltman, two sisters; Mae Larsen of Thornton, Eileen (Robert) Carrier of Mountain Home, Idaho; 25 grand children, 101 great grandchildren and 44 great–great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five sisters and three brothers, & one son-in-law Orland Peterson. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at the Coltman LDS Chapel, with Bishop Larry Clayton, officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, at the church. Interment will be in the Grant Central Cemetery.