Ellen Tolman

DORENE TOLMAN IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Ellen Dorene Tolman, 77, of Idaho Falls, passed away February 7, 2007 at her home of pancreatic cancer. She was under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice. She was born May 11, 1929, in Monarch, Wyoming, to William Todd King and Ellen Sylvia Mattson King. She grew up in and graduated from high school in Superior, Wyoming prior to attending the University of Wyoming where she obtained a Normal Elementary Teaching Certificate. She later completed her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Wyoming and a Master's Degree from the University of Idaho. She married Rex LaVern Tolman September 10, 1948, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in Burlington, Hillsdale, Cowley and Lovell, Wyoming before moving to Lewiston, Idaho in 1965. She was an elementary school teacher and taught 2-6 grades in Wyoming and Lewiston. She and her husband moved to Idaho Falls three years ago. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher's Sorority and served as the local and state president. She belonged to the Lewiston, Idaho, and National Education Associations. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, Young Women's leader, in the Relief Society and as a Temple Worker in the Spokane Temple. She enjoyed sewing, ceramics, art and music. Survivors include: Husband: Rex “Vern” Tolman, Idaho Falls, ID Son: Robert William (Teresa) Tolman, Shelley, ID Daughter: Kathy Kay (Garth) Winter, Idaho Falls, ID 10 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John William "Bill" King. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 12, 2007 at the Idaho Falls LDS Woodhaven Ward, 260 Castlerock (west of Taylorview Junior High), with Bishop W. Baird McNaught officiating. The family will visit with friends Monday from 10 - 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. ------------------------------- Condolences sent online: Steve and Alta Carter, Mike and Rosie Hill sacarter@cableone.net We extend our sympathies to Dr. Tolman and family. We always enjoyed the time we taught with Dorene in the Lewiston School District. She was truly an educator of children. Penny Sessions ssarecycling@qwest.net Sorry to hear about your loss. will keep everyone in my prayers. Dorene was a wonderful lady Al & Dorothy Ross to Rex and the family, we are sorry for your loss. Dorene was one of the very finest teachers that I had the the experience to teach with. God Bless Carmen Johnson carmenmjo@cableone.net I was a student of Mrs Tolman's in 6th Grade at Orchard's Elementary in 1978-79. She was a wonderful teacher who provided a great deal of guidance, knowledge and fun. We had a deaf student teacher in our class when I was in her class. I would learn in the future that that was a great compliment to her as a teacher to mentoring a teacher who would have a lot of challenges teaching in a classroom of hearing children. That whole experience taught us acceptance and adaptability - something I think is missing from today's educational system. I'm so sorry for your family's loss and I know that the next several months will be very difficult. God Bless! Lee and Carma Redford, Gary and Angelette Redford redfor1@comcast.ent Our sincere sympathy in the death of our dear friend Dorene. We can all shed tears that she gone, or smile because she lived. Our hearts can be empty because we cannot see her or be full of the loved that she shared. We will cherish her memory and let it live on. It is a great blessing to have known her, we will miss her vibrant spirit. Much love, Lee,Carma,Gary,Angelette Redford Eva Johnson Berry February 9, 2007 To the family of Dorene Tolman, I wish to express my sympathy and love to all of you at this difficult and sad time. Dorene was a wonderful role model as a mother, elect lady, faithful Church member, teacher and friend. I loved being around her...she had such a delightful sense of humor and contagious laugh but always used it in such good taste and above reproach. She always knew how to uplift and encourage a person and show empathy and understanding in all situations. I have really missed her and Rex since they moved from Lewiston and have thought about them numerous times with love and a longing to see them again for a good visit. Please know you are in my prayers and may God bless you with comfort and peace in the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. Love and prayers, Eva Johnson Berry 3015 Cypress Street Lewiston, ID 83501 Marcia Illian Banta Dorene's loss is a mighty burden for her family to bear. May it be leavened by the knowledge that many others will miss her and the good she did lives on in the children whose lives she touched. Debbie (Sabin) Henriod SemiSweet_1st@yahoo.com My thoughts are with you. I am so blessed to have had Sis. Tolman for my Laurel advisor. She holds a special place in my heart - and in many, many people's hearts! Johnette LaBrue Moore j-rmoore@cableone.net My deepest condolences to you all. Doreen was a dear and special friend with whom I sang, laughed and told srtories with when we were teachers in Lewiston. She brought much joy to me and many others. I was blessed to have known her. Peace be with you~Love, Johnette Janis Johnson janisjohnson4@hotmail.com I am so sorry to hear of Dorene's passing. She is in for a real treat and will love her heavenly home. I was one of her 5th Grade students at Centennial Elementary School in Lewiston, Idaho. She was a great teacher and a great friend. May her family take comfort and solace in this scripture verse . . . " For I recon that the sufferings of this present day are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:18) May God give her family the strength to carry on and accomplish those things they need to accomplish at this time. Dorene, may you sleep in heavenly peace! With love and prayers, Janis Johnson 505 Indian Hills Drive, #F-4 Moscow, ID 83843 Neldon & Verda Marshall neldon@cableone.net We wanted to express our condolences to the family on the loss of their loved one. Especially to Robert and Teresa who live in our ward. We have lost our parents, and know how it feels. Gratefully we know that we will see them again. Chris and Janene Connerley chrisandrandy@cableone.net We are so sorry to hear about Dorene. Our family has memories that go back to sixties when we moved to Lewiston. She was our teacher when Camelot first opened its doors, a visiting teaching companion in the 2nd ward, a mentor when we started teaching in the Lewiston school district, a friend when things were difficult. She was a wonderful advisor and an excellent example. Our thoughts are with you and particularly sensitive due to having just lost our brother to the very same disease 2 weeks before the day of Dorene's passing. Chris Henderson Dear President Tolman, We just learned of Sister Tolman's passing. Please know that I have always had a great deal of respect and appreciation for both of you, and the lives you have lived. I am better for having known both of you. Sincerely, Chris Henderson chris777@mysynergy.net 719-598-0920 Carol Coleman ccoleman@lewiston.k12.id.us I am so sorry for your loss. I was just wondering the other day, if you still lived on 13th. I am teaching Spanish at LHS, and at SAC, so I drive down Grelle frequently. I will always recall the get together you had for the education teachers at your house, Rex. You were such a great education professor. I have also greatly benefited from the classes I took from you and Bob, after graduation. I know how much your Dorene meant to you, and how you cherished her. I also know that your faith will sustain you at this time. Between the two of you, you have made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of people. I am so glad that God allowed me to be one of your students. Most sincerely, Carol Coleman Dr. Tolman and Family: Our sincere sympathy to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I had the great pleasure and rewards of doing my student teaching with Dorene at Camelot Elementary School in Lewiston in 1971. I have always been blessed and thankful for the opportunity to have worked with a master teacher like Dorene. She guided me through a rewarding experience of student teaching. Dorene always was always willing to make a difference in each child's life in her classroom and is the epitome of an outstanding teacher. Galen L. Munn Clarkston, Washington ghmunn@cableone.net Donna J. Johnson djohnson@lewiston.com Just a note to share with you , how much fun we all had at Orchards School. We had good discussions, fun projects and many desserts. I consider it a great joy to having been a team partner with Dorene. As I was typing this I rememberd it was the early 80's and I had just taken my first computer class. Dorene was more savy than I was, and she said , you will have to use Word perfect or something like that and I said , that's a foreign language to me, Dorene!!! Steven Branting sbranting@lewiston.k12.id.us It is with great sadness that Lewiston's teachers, LCSC alumni and the Brantings hear of the death of a honored mentor of Lewiston's youth for many years. Shann and I send our sincerest sympathies. Deedra Hastings ddhastings@cableone.net Sister Tolman was one of my young women leaders -- she was always one that I listened too --very wise and always full of love for me. I will always remember the day Brother and Sister Tolman came to my home and flew kites with my family--the Blazzards. I'm so lucky to have had the Tolmans in my life. I consider them one of those couples you meet in life that are on your "most want to be like" list!! Sister Tolman loved her family and I know they will miss her. Stacey Zielinski Blazzard sablazza@yahoo.com Dear Tolman Family, I wanted to express my sincerest condolences to your family at this time of loss. Sister Tolman was a wonderful lady that I had the pleasure of meeting in the sixth grade. She was one of my co-teachers at Orchards Elementary. Later, when I joined the church in the ninth grade, I was able to get to know her and Bro. Tolman even better. They were always so good and kind to me. I was Dorene's aide while in high school and Bro. Tolman was my advisor during my student teaching. I can remember lessons Sis. Tolman taught to us as young women of the 2nd ward about manners. She was always an example to me of someone who was strong and yet still a lady through and through. I know she will be greatly missed by your family and especially by Brother Tolman. I feel blessed to have known her and to have felt her example in my life. She was a teacher to those around her in so many ways. Jerry and Deniece Allred allredjerry@yahoo.com Brother Tolman, I just received an email from Fred Fichenworth about the passing of your wife. I can't even begin to say how grateful I am for all you and Sister Tolman have done for our family. You are remembered every day by our family. I still use you as an example in so many ways as I work with members in our ward. I know we have as a family been blessed by having you as our friend. Garren and I enjoyed our time as your home teachers for all those years. Garren has grown up to be quite the young man. You and your wife were a great teacher and example for him. Thank you. Please let me know your phone number so I can give you a call. Our prayers are with you. Jerry 435-586-8617 Sharon Fitzgerald To the family of Dorene Tolman, I wish to give you my deepest sympathy at the loss of you wife and mother. I worked at McGhee Elementary with Dorene. Shae was a wonderful teacher to her students and a wonderful person to everyone. It was a pleasure to know her. She will be greatly missed. Sharon Fitzgerald Doug & Gina Piper doug.piper@potlatchcorp.com Gina and I were very saddened to here about Sister Tolman's passing. We want you to know how much both of you have touched our family in very positive ways. As a couple you have always set the high standard of what marriage should be! We have watched over the years of your caring and loving ways of treating each other, and have learned much. Doreen was my fifth grade teacher, my first experience with the LDS faith, and what an education it was, with such a new and fun way of learning things at school. I still sing and hum the funny little songs she taught us, to my grandchildren now as I bounce them to sleep when they are fussy. I will forever be in your debt, for the things learned and the fond memories of very good friends in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please know that our thoughts and Prayers are with you now! With Our Love, The Piper's. Maureen and Lamar Brewer reenybrewer@yahoo.com Dear Bro. Tolman, We just heard about the passing of Dorene. What a special person she was. I remember working in Young Women's with Dorene. What a wonderful privilege. I remember when I was her aid in the classroom of McSorley school. She was such a wonderful teacher and very much admired. Lamar and I always loved Dorene and loved her special smile and laughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Maureen and Lamar Brewer Lewis-Clark State College Ed Division jhill@lcsc.edu We were saddened to learn of the death of your wife, Doreen, and wish to extend to you and your family our deepest sympathy. Chris McCullough [chrismcc@kw.com] Dear Brother Tolman & Family, As I grow older, those in my life who have had significant impact continue to burn brightly in memory like the stars on a clear winter night! Sister Tolman is and will always be the embodiment of what every child should wish for in a sixth grade teacher. When I heard of Sister Tolman's passing back to Heavenly Father's care, I was at once both saddened by our loss, and heartened by her legacy and the joyous reception she received upon her return home. Brother Tolman, I think of both of you often. The blessings you and your wife offered to my life are rolling forward into the lives of my wife and our children, as well as the many lives we impact as we pass through this brief interlude between eternity and eternity. Your love for those around you is the greatest monument to what two people can become if they really believe and endure! Her rest is earned, but I doubt she will skip a beat as she applies all she has learned toward the great joy and challenges she is currently undertaking. My hope is that your soul is comforted by the faith you so freely shared with so many! Thank you for sharing your wife with all of us! Your loss is Heaven's blessed gain! Chris McCullough Orchard Elementary 6th Grade 1977-78 Patricia Roberts and Melissa Kesling mkesling@idahoea.org We are so sorry to hear of Dorene's passing. She was a wonderful teacher and we know she will be missed by her students and peers. We offer our deepest sympathy to your family at this time. Idaho Education Association Patricia Roberts Melissa Kesling Laurel Porter [ldllp@hotmail.com] Brother Tolman and family: Laurel and I want to express our condolences at this time. We loved both Brother Tolman and Sister Tolman and appreciated having them in our lives while we were living in Clarkston. Our prayers are with you at this time. Brother Laurel and Sister Lora Lee Porter Denice Ricks Campbell gcampbell@nctv.com I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Sister Tolman and I wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to your family. Leland Yorgason lelandyorgason@hotmail.com As a former student of Mrs. Tolman, I would like to say that I consider her to be one of the best teachers that I had. I am sorry to hear of her passing and wish her family peace and comfort.