RaeDene Gillette

BURLEY – RaeDene Biggs Gillette passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, 2026, just one day after her 84th birthday. We felt extremely lucky to be able to celebrate her birthday with her, and we know she knew just how much we all loved and celebrated her.
RaeDene was born on February 19, 1942, to Jessie Jean Biggs in Burley, Idaho. When she was six years old, she was adopted by her mother's parents, Melvin Lorenzo and Thelma Clara (Hall) Biggs. She was the oldest of eight children born to her mother, Jeannie, and she continued to have a loving relationship with her entire family. She loved having a big family and lived in Burley, Idaho, for the rest of her life.
RaeDene was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She met her future husband, Marty Gillette, in Burley when she was 17 years old. They married on August 14, 1959, and recently celebrated 66 years of marriage. Together, they raised four children: John, Colleen, Debbie, and Wendy. As members of the Church, Marty and Rae Dene were married and sealed in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple on November 14, 2008. Mom loved being a member of he Church and was extremely excited when she was able to visit the temple with friends and family. Most recently she was able to tour the new Burley Temple during the Open House.
RaeDene was an amazing young athlete playing fast-pitch softball (she was a pitcher) and she also loved playing volleyball. After having her own children, she was so good that she continued to play in recreational leagues with her daughters, and she was very competitive. When she was no longer playing, she would support her kids in their sporting activities, rarely missing a game. When her grandkids started playing sports or doing other activities, she was there to be their biggest fan!
RaeDene was an extremely hard worker. We remember times driving beet trucks or being a school bus driver, but the majority of her career was in the potato industry. She eventually became a potato inspector for the State of Idaho and was awarded a certificate of service for 25 years in 2012. She would have been 70 years old at the time, and we hope and believe she retired soon thereafter.
Mom/Grandma loved big family get-togethers. There were camping trips, Lagoon trips, family reunions, and many holidays where we would just get together and play games, laugh together, eat good food, peruse ads for shopping after Thanksgiving, and just enjoy each others' company. We know she will be proud if we can live by her example and remember that she taught us to be the best we can be.
RaeDene was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis LaMar Gillette; her parents; her sisters, Sharon Fairchild, Paula Ramey, and Meah Espinoza; and a brother, Wayne Nelson.
She is survived by two sisters, Linda Cutler and Darla Legault; one brother, Gary Nelson; her four children, John Gillette, Colleen Brunson, Debbie Greene (Mark), and Wendy Pool (Jim-partner); 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
The family would like to thank the staff at Highland Estates and Intermountain Homecare & Hospice for the compassionate care our mom received while she was a resident and during her final days.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Burley 7th Ward, located at 2200 Oakley Ave., in Burley, with Bishop Preston officiating. There will be no burial services following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate to the funeral service fund, please Venmo to @wrpool.
Arrangements are under the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.