Teresa Stoker

Teresa Gorostiza Stoker, 93, of Idaho Falls, passed away June 8, 2016, at Reflections Memory Care in Morning Star’s Senior Living Center. She was under the care of Hearts for Hospice.

Terry was born February 26, 1923, in Nampa, Idaho, to Basque immigrants, Ramon Gorostiza and Maria Urizar Gorostiza; she was always very proud of her Basque heritage. She grew up in Silver City, Idaho, which shaped her life-long love of the mountains and snow. Terry loved to tell how the snow could be as deep as the rooftops. She was the fourth of five children, with two older brothers, and the middle of two sisters. Terry attended a one-room school in Silver City and graduated from Melba High School.

When Terry was 16 years old she met John Quinten Stoker, who was working in the mines in Silver City. She described him as tall, with dark curly hair, slender, handsome, and most important, an excellent dancer. They were married in Shelley, Idaho, on April 20, 1942, when he returned home on furlough. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on June 26, 1965. John and Terry were blessed with three children, Patricia, Ramon (Ray), and Carmen. They lived in various places throughout the Intermountain West, with John working in the mines and timber. 　Terry made homes in tents, trailers, and platform canvas cabins. They later settled in Roberts, Idaho, where she worked in the potato warehouses and then later on the farm with John. She often repeated the phrase, "such is the life of a poor farmer’s wife." They moved to Dietrich, Idaho, in 1971, where they continued farming and later retired.

Following the death of John (1991), Terry served a mission for the LDS Church in the England Birmingham Mission (1994-1996). Upon return from her mission, she made her home in Boise to spend more time with her siblings. She later relocated to Idaho Falls (2005) to be near her daughters.

Terry’s hobbies included yard work, particularly her roses, "obsessively" cleaning her house, and being a grandma. 　She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in numerous callings throughout the years. Terry was feisty and had a clever sense of humor her entire life, right up until the end. She will be remembered as being a friend to many, and was much loved.

Terry is survived by her daughter, Patricia S. Wells-Noble of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Ramon G. (Ruth) Stoker of Council, ID; daughter, Carmen S. (Loran) Marler of Idaho Falls, ID; 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers, Richard and John Gorostiza; two sisters, Virginia Barr and Marie Kelly; a son-in-law, James Noble; a grandson, James Ray Stoker; and a great-grandson, Sean Patrick Daugaard.

The family wishes to express appreciation for the loving care given to "Mother Teresa" by the entire staff of Morning Star Reflections. There are too many to name. Also, to Hearts of Hospice, especially Loy and Crystal. Crystal helped Terry look beautiful every day.

In lieu of flowers, friends may honor Terry’s memory with donations to: The Basque Museum and Cultural Center, 611 Grove Street, Boise, ID 83702; or Hearts for Hospice. 503 S. Woodruff Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 12-12:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held