Lola Wanda Sargent

Lola Wanda Bates Sargent, 97 of Swan Valley, Idaho passed away in her home Wednesday October 2, 2019. Lola was born on October 11, 1921 in Rexburg Idaho to Russell Joseph Bates, and Wanda Elizabeth Whitehead Bates. They lived in Rigby.  Lola had one sibling, Norma Bates Chivers.  They were always close sisters and dear friends.

She attended schools in Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School, where she was cheerleader and played clarinet in the school band. In 1942 she married her high school sweetheart, Lyle Howard Sargent. Initially, they lived in the San Francisco area where they worked in the shipyards during World War II. In 1944, while in San Francisco, she gave birth to her first born, David Dudley Sargent. After the war, Lola and Lyle moved to Swan Valley where she lived the rest of her life. Lola had two more children; Susan Bates Sargent (1948) and Randy Russell Sargent (1950). Lyle died of cardiovascular disease in 1971.

After Lyle’s death, Lola worked at the Swan Valley Elementary school as a secretary until her retirement. She was well-loved by the students and her co-workers. She had previously worked as a cook and aide at the school. Lola was, first and foremost, a wife, mother, and friend. She was a wonderful housekeeper and cook, but, more importantly, she was involved in the life of her family and community.  She served as an officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, as a 4-H teacher, in the PTA, the senior citizen group and Swan Valley Old Timers. For years, she served as a volunteer EMT.

In the late 1970’s, Lola met and married Bart Hansen. Bart died a few months later.  They had a wonderful time together. In 1998, she spent a year in Salt Lake City caring for her son, Randy, while he waited for a heart transplant which was successful. In 2011, Lola lost her son, David, to cancer.

The light of her life was her grandchildren; Todd Sargent (Boise, Idaho), Jason Sargent (Pleasant Grove, Utah), Katie Sargent Martin (Grass Valley, California), Mandy Sargent Robinson, (Andover, Minnesota), and Devin Sargent (Rigby, Idaho). She had nine great grandchildren. Lola had cousins, nieces, and nephews who loved her and kept in contact with her throughout her life.

Lola made friends easily and kept them a very long time.  She had a group of high school friends that stayed together and played together. She outlived them all. Lola was a good friend. She believed in people. She overlooked their weaknesses and appreciated their strengths. She loved to laugh.  She loved to see people smile. She loved the natural world.  She loved to go for long rides along the river and through the canyons of Swan Valley. She loved music.  In her earlier years, she loved to sing and play piano. She especially loved to dance. She enjoyed needle work, cooking, baking and picking wild berries in the fall.

She is survived by her son, Randy Sargent, her daughter, Susan Sargent, and her daughter-in -law Linda Rossi Sargent. Lola was blessed with good health.  She would have been 98 on October 11.  Lola was described by one friend as the person who lit up the room when she entered.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, October 8 ^th 2019 at Grant Central Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 West Main St. Rigby Idaho. A luncheon will be held at the Swan Valley Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building beginning at 2:30. This will be provided by the Relief Society.