Twila Jean Lahm

Twila Jean Merrill Lahm, 71, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 26, 2020, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Twila was born June 23, 1949, to Ruth Marine Thorngren Merrill and Solymon Sylvenus Merrill in Rigby, Idaho. Twila was the fifth of nine children. Some of her favorite childhood memories were of growing up on the “rat farm”. Her children and grandchildren loved hearing stories of the adventures that Twila and her siblings had on the farm. Mom said that they didn’t have much, but they had love and a lot of laughs, which was enough.

Twila spent her childhood in Lewisville, Menan, and Rigby. She graduated from Rigby High School. Following high school, Twila moved to Idaho Falls and worked as a bookkeeper at Big-O Tire before meeting her future husband, Charles Lahm. Twila and Charlie moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and decided to get married before he shipped out to Scotland with the Navy. They were married on November 21, 1973. Although they later divorced, mom and dad remained close friends through the remainder of her life. Dad was always there to help her in any way he could with repairs to the house, taking her to doctors’ appointments, or even just to share a Whopper and Diet Coke dinner.

In 1975, Twila and Charlie moved back to Idaho Falls, to set up their lives. It was here that she would live out the remainder of her life and create and maintain many friendships that meant so very much to her. During their marriage, Twila and Charlie celebrated the birth of their children Eric Charles, Kimberly Rose, and Jonathan David. Mom often said that the one thing that she was most proud of during her life was her kids and there was never a time when we ever doubted that we were loved.

Twila was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings during her time here on earth, some of her favorites being a visiting teacher, Relief Society homemaking leader, and Cub Scout leader. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, cooking, and attending the theatre with her daughter, Kim. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, Trinity and Parker. And she was always up for a family barbeque, as long as Jon grilled the steaks.

Twila is survived by her daughter, Kim of Evanston, WY; son, Jonathan (Kristy) of Firth, ID; ex-husband, Charlie of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Norman (Audrey) of Spokane, WA; brother, Dennis “Mike” (Sheila) of Baker City, OR; brother, Kent (Diane) of Rigby, ID; brother, Blair (Phyllis) of Rigby, ID; and sister, Sally (Dave) Sumners of Idaho Falls, ID; and grandchildren, Trinity and Parker of Firth, ID.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Eric Charles; sister, Margie Killian; and brothers Warren “Dick” Merrill and Ronald Merrill.

We would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses in EIRMC’s ICU for taking such good care of our mom and best friend over the final days of her life, and a special thank you to Sam and Max who allowed our mom to pass with grace and dignity and for the best hugs of the day.

The family will have a visitation Saturday, January 2 ^nd , 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.  The family will have a celebration of life that will be announced at a later date. Interment will take place at Annis Little Butte Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com