Paulleen Abegglen

Paulleen Rydalch Abegglen, 88, of St. Anthony, died at her home Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.

She was born May 12, 1923, in Edmunds, Idaho, to Davis Hunter Rydalch and Esther Jane Parkinson. She was the youngest of 10 children and the last surviving member of her family.

She attended school at Parker and graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1941. After graduation, Paulleen worked at both Watson's and Holmes Drug Stores. It was there that she met Ivan Abegglen, and after a brief courtship, they were married in Plano, Idaho, on Dec. 11, 1942. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on Dec. 11, 1957.

Paulleen and Ivan lived in St. Anthony until they purchased a home in Wilford, and they lived there until that home was destroyed when the Teton Dam collapsed in 1976. At that time, they purchased a home on North Bridge Street in St. Anthony, where they have since resided.

Following Ivan's retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, they spent the winter months in Mesa, Ariz., where she especially enjoyed the warm weather and beautiful Arizona landscape. She made many new friends while living there and missed them dearly when she and Ivan no longer could make annual trips there.

One of the highlights of Paulleen's life was a trip to Hawaii to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary. She always wanted to make a return trip there, but it never worked out.

Paulleen was a fiercely independent lady and always insisted she could take care of herself. She was extremely kind and always enjoyed helping others. She loved music, flowers, gardening, cooking, reading and keeping a spotless house. She and her sister-in-law, Anita Abegglen, spent countless hours bicycling along the streets of St. Anthony until health issues forced them to stop.

Paulleen was a lifelong member of the LDS church. She served in many callings, most recently as a visiting teacher.

She is survived by Ivan, her husband of 69 years; three children, Donn of Molalla, Ore., Julie Ann (Richard) Hill of Idaho Falls and Diane of West Jordan, Utah; four grandchildren, Heather (Darin) Penni of Molalla, Ore., Libby Hill of Herriman, Utah, Jedd (Kimberly) Hill of Syracuse, Utah, and Brian (Jana Kae) Hill of Idaho Falls; and 12 great-grandchildren, Megan, Brooke, Kendall and Natalie Penni, McKenzee Pullen, and Mckenzie, Ivan, Owen, Mercedes, Savanna, Bentley and Shelby Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Marva; her eight brothers, William, Donald, Clarence, James, Elvin, Leland, Nyal and Frank; and two sons, Paul and Larry.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the St. Anthony 3rd Ward Chapel. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church prior to services. Burial will be in Wilford Cemetery under the direction of Bert Flamm Mortuary.

The family suggests contributions be made in Paulleen's name to the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.flammfh.com.