Joseph Andreas Gillett

Joseph Andreas Gillett Will Be Missed  Declo - Our father, grandfather, and brother, Joseph Andreas Gillett, age 93, Declo, passed away in Burley, Idaho Friday, May 9, 2003. Joe was born Dec 30, 1909 in Tooele, UT to Wilma Gay Anderson and Lawrence ("Lar") Augustus Gillett. He was the oldest and "the boss" of nine children (five boys, four girls). At the age of three his family homesteaded a small farming project in Marshfield, ID (later renamed Declo). It was in Declo, that he learned to love the land and the beauties of nature as he worked hard trying to help his family survive during the hard times of the Depression. He graduated from Declo High School in 1928. Then, against many obstacles, he worked his way through college and graduated from the University of Idaho, 1932, in agriculture with an emphasis in entomology. Joe worked as a teacher, an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, owner of Gillett's Market and Postmaster in Declo. Joe married Maida Ingram of Nephi, UT Aug 30, 1933 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous positions of leadership throughout his life including bishop in Albion, ID; high councilor of the Burley, Idaho Stake; stake president, and later patriarch of the Declo, Idaho Stake. Together, Joe and Maida served in the Alaska Anchorage Mission, 1979-1981. Joe also served on the Cassia County School Board for 12 years and was chairman for the last three years of that time. He was also a member and president of the Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in building the Kiwanis Park in Declo. Joe always enjoyed working with the earth and planting trees, shrubs, and flowers. He collected rocks from all over the country and built a beautiful rock garden with a waterfall and lily pond in his yard in his retirement years. People would come to him for miles around asking gardening advice as well as spiritual advice. He was a friend, brother, teacher, and leader to many in the area giving hours of unconditional love and service to all. He also had a quick wit and was a tease. Everyone had to watch for that twinkle in his eye. Together Joe and Maida raised six children, Gale Gillett (Jolene), Declo, Ted Gillett (Sharon), Paradise, UT, Dan Gillett (Carolyn), Declo, David Gillett (DelRae), Sandy, UT, Christine Hill (Veldon), Nampa, ID, Diane Toronto (James), Provo, UT; 34 grandchildren; and 65 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil-dren, as well as brothers, L.A. Gillette, Paul, ID, George Gillette, Pensacola, FL, Frank Gillette, Declo; and sisters, Hazel Blake, Mesa, AZ, Wilma Thurston, Burley, ID, Renee' Clark, Paul, ID. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maida; parents; brother, Don; sister, Wanda; and one granddaughter. The funeral will be 12 noon Tues. May 13, 2003 Declo Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 213 W. Main, Bishop Danny Turner officiating. Burial, Declo Cemetery. Friends may call at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St, Burley, Mon. 6-8 p.m., and at the stake center Tues. 11-11:45 a.m.