Thelma C. Sayer

Thelma C. Sayer, 97, of Leslie, passed away Saturday, October 12, 2013, at Lincoln Court Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls.

Thelma was born August 24, 1916, in Blackfoot to Nephi and Laura Lorentzen Christensen. She was the fourth of 10 children. She was a graduate of Blackfoot High School and attended Idaho State College.

On March 6, 1944, she married Max W. Sayer in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They made their home in the Mackay area and later purchased a farm in Leslie, where they raised their six children. He preceded her in death November 30, 2005.

Thelma was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully throughout her life.

She loved good books and was an avid reader, picking up the habit again in her later years. As a child, she would take her flashlight to bed and read under the covers where she would not be easily discovered.

Thelma loved and will long be remembered for the lovely original decorations adorning her home, particularly during the holiday seasons. She mastered the art of drying her flowers and created beautiful pictures with the dried arrangements framed within. With her handmade paper, she created original and lovely greeting cards, which she sent to her family, friends and neighbors on their special occasions.

She was a dedicated gardener and created exquisite yards with love, labor, creativity and devotion that included a myriad of flowers and many unique rocks and unusual gnarled pieces of wood she discovered as she was attentive to all of nature around her. Her vegetable gardens were a work of art and her family and friends enjoyed the bounty created there.

She was a marvelous cook and shared that gift with others around the family dinner table and those who received it as "take-out." She was generous with all she had, knew how to budget and saved $20 bills, which often then found their way to others. Her wit and sense of humor brought added joy when you were in her company and continued with her to the very end.

She is survived by her children, Loren (Dorothy) Sayer of Leslie, Idaho, daughter-in-law, Enola Sayer of Thatcher, Arizona, Roger (Birgitta) Sayer of Salt Lake City, Marcia Sayer of Alexandria, Virginia, Dan (Holly) Sayer of Leslie, Idaho, and Rex (Jackie) Sayer of Boise. She is also survived by three brothers, Coston, Raymond and Harold Christensen; and one sister, Olive Barclay. She was loved and blessed by her 21 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Max W. Sayer; son, Byron M. Sayer; daughter-in-law, Mary B. Sayer; brothers, Ove, Robert and Nephi Christensen; and sisters, Clara Larson, Ove and Noma Tew.

Her family expresses deep gratitude to the wonderful staff at Lincoln Court and Hands of Hope Hospice, who loved and cared for Thelma. Her many friendships which she created and fostered there and in other places, will be cherished forever for their love, generosity and devotion.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, at the Leslie LDS Church. A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Hawker Lost River Funeral Home, 345 Sunset Drive in Arco, and Saturday for one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Mt. McCaleb Cemetery in Mackay.

Condolences may be sent to condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.

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