Elaine Gooch Jenkins

Elaine Gooch Jenkins, 84 of Boise, died Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, at a local care center. Elaine was born on Sept. 10, 1922 in Bancroft, Idaho to John O. Jr. and Matilda Folkman Gooch. Her father had been a rancher in that area since about 1901. In 1927 the family moved to Burley, Idaho and Elaine attended schools there, graduating from Burley High School in 1940. She was always active in sports in high school, as far as it was allowed. She was an excellent roller skater, and was well known in the rinks around the area. She also played softball in the summers and was honored at her last state tournament as the outstanding pitcher in Idaho. In 1941 Elaine married Alexander Jenkins and was later divorced. After her marriage, she moved to Kansas City where she worked helping build B-25 bombers. After her husband went overseas, she moved to Kemmerer, Wyo. where she worked in a pharmacy operated by a relative. When the war in Europe ended, she moved back to Burley, where she worked in a local business. In November of 1946, she began working as an operator at the Mountain States Telephone Company. In 1955 she transferred to Pocatello, Idaho with the telephone company. In January of 1984 she retired after over 37 years of service. She often said she went from saying Ònumber please,Ó to operating a computer at work. She was a single mother during all this time and also helped various family members. She always enjoyed spending time at the family summer place in the Palisades area, and became quite proficient in fly fishing while wading in the South Fork of the Snake River. After retirement, she spent a lot of time caring for her grandson and volunteering at the schools in Pocatello. She moved to Boise in the summer of 1993 to be close to her son and grandson. She enjoyed her home, yard, and dogs as well as attending her grandson´s school activities. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Wilma Marriott and Louise Shelton; and three brothers, Warren, Jesse, and Ray. She is survived by a son, Paul R. Jenkins; a grandson, Kelly G. Jenkins, both of Boise; and two brothers, LaVere of Jerome, and Robert of Boise. No local funeral services will be held. An inurnment service will be held at a later date at the Woodlawn Columbarium at Cloverdale Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made in her name to the Idaho Youth Ranch, or a charity of your choice.