Reta J. Daniels

Reta Jean Daniels of Arco, Idaho, returned to her father in Heaven on October 13, 2011, after a long battle from a suffering illness.

She was born on September 22, 1929, in her family home in Willard, Utah, to Minnie Fay (Dial) Par-sons and John Charles Parsons. She was the youngest child of nine, with three brothers and five sisters. Reta attended school in Willard, Utah, and Brigham City, Utah. She enjoyed tending her many nieces and even learned to tap dance with one niece.

Reta met her husband, Ulysses Grant Daniels Jr., of 49 years in Victor, Idaho, while he was home on leave from the Army. She had left Utah to help her brother farm and then worked as a nanny for Grant's sister and brother-in-law, tending their two children. They were married on December 1, 1948, in the Salt Lake City, Utah, LDS Temple, and they made their first home together in Victor. In 1968, they moved their family to their dream ranch in Antelope Valley, in Darlington, Idaho.

Both Reta and Grant were athletic and loved all sports. Reta was known for her fast pitch, hitting, and throwing the ball farther than most women. She played her last softball game at the age of 52 in an Idaho Falls, Idaho, tournament for the family on the "infamous" Daniels Ranch Team -- which to this day, is still the family team name that is proudly used by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid baseball fan of all teams, as well as the Utah Jazz basketball team. But none brought the biggest smile to her face as much as a team that had her family playing on it. Among her many talents, she was a master of fudge-making, dinner rolls, fried chicken, cinnamon rolls and the world's best red velvet cake.

Reta was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served and enjoyed being a visiting teacher.

Five children were born to Reta and Grant in their loving marriage: Gregory Grant (Kristine) Daniels, Idaho Falls, ID; JoAnn (Blaine) Price, Malad, ID; Debra Jean (Keith) Waddoups, Lost River, ID; Jackie Colleen (Craig) Stewart, Lost River, ID; and Sally Faye (Mark) Rose, Jerome, ID; She is survived by one brother, Boyd Parsons, and a wonderful legacy of five children, 19 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. (And at least one more she knew of that is coming this spring.) Reta made sure she never missed a single birthday for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and always made sure she sent a birthday card; it will most definitely be missed by them all.

Reta is preceded in death by her parents; five sisters; two brothers; her beloved husband, Grant Daniels; her great-granddaughter, Sydney Kim Gamett; and her daughter-in-law, Teresa Young Daniels.

Reta was the greatest Mother (but was always known to her children as mumma), mother-in-law, Grandma and Great Grandma that anyone could have ever had.

In her last years, she had what became to be known in the family as the "Daniels Hotline." She would call everyone to catch up on the latest events going on in each of her families' lives, even down to the youngest great-grandchild. She was the most loving and caring person the family will always know. She would do anything for anyone. Reta left behind a wonderful legacy of children and posterity that will never forget her smile, and they will always carry the memories of her life in their hearts.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the Moore LDS Stake Center in Moore, Idaho. A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Arco and for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at 4 p.m. in the Victor Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.

Family Tribute