Merle Driggs

MERLE DRIGGS Click here to view a video of Merle's life IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Merle Grover Driggs, 85, of Ammon, passed away May19, 2008, at her home under the care and in the arms of her loving family. She was born January 4, 1923, at Labelle, Idaho, to Ursel Leroy Grover and Alice Amelda Hutchens Grover. She grew up and attended schools in the area, graduating from Ririe High School. She later attended Idaho State University, where she received her nursing degree. She served in the U. S. Air Force as a flight nurse during World War II and the Korean War, accumulating over 2000 flight hours and enduring many harrowing experiences including flying through the edge of an atomic mushroom cloud being tested in the Pacific. She assisted with the air evacuation of U.S. POWs from the Pacific Theater at the end of World War II and the evacuation of many severely wounded and frostbitten Americans during the Korean War. She was discharged from the Air Force after 14 years with the rank of Captain. On November 1, 1958, she married Chase Driggs in Elko, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized on June 6, 1968, in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple. Following her marriage, she worked for a time as a nurse, but later retired to be a full-time mother and homemaker. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings including Stake Young Women's Secretary, Stake Relief Society Secretary, Relief Society Teacher, Scout Leader, Stake Camp Director, and Stake Camp Nurse. Merle enjoyed gardening, genealogy, quilting, and painting. She especially loved spending time with her family, who loved her dearly. Survivors include: Daughter: Lori Driggs, Provo, UT Son: Mark (Laurel) Driggs, Riverton, UT Son: Brint (Kirsten) Driggs, McKinney, TX Daughter: Corrine (Rodney) Boshard, Peoria, AZ Son: Kim Driggs, Salt Lake City, UT Son: Mike Driggs, St. Louis, MO Son: Robert Driggs, Ogden, UT Brother: Blaine Grover, Dubois, ID Brother: Jerry Grover, Spanish Fork, UT Brother: Reo Grover, Hattisburg, MS Brother: Jack Grover, Shelley, ID Brother: Arlo Grover, Ririe, ID Sister: Zola Rhone, Boise, ID Sister: Donna Storer, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Martha Lee, Milo, ID Sister: Bonnie Andersen, Las Vegas, NV Grandchildren: Arielle, Courtney, Dustin, Chase, Brandon, Tanner, and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chase Driggs; two sisters, Amber Lovell and Ruth Hudson; and a brother, Rex Grover. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the Ammon LDS Stake Center, 2055 S. Ammon Road, with Bishop Darin Merrill, of the Ammon 21st Ward, officiating. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Wood East Side Chapel, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby-Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Jefferson County VFW and Idaho Honor Guard. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Diane & Wayne & Daniel Jemmett dianejemmett@gmail.com I will miss Sister Driggs so very much. She was my visiting teaching partner for many years. She was wonderful. Hugs to you all. She was the best. With love always . . . The Jemmett's Margo Bowen gracie51@cableone.net Dear Lori, Mark & Brint, I am so sorry I can't make it to the funeral but wanted you to know how much your Mother meant to me. She was like my second Mom. I have so many fond memories of spending the summers in Holiday & Brigham City. Her sourdough pancakes were the best. Your Mother never judged me and always accepted me for who I am. She was a very special person. I will miss her dearly. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that she is in the loving arms of your Dad and is now well again. I will always remember her laugh and the twinkle in her eye. I am so grateful for the closeness she and my Mother had. She always made me feel special. She gave us such kindness & caring when we moved to Salt Lake. She gave my Mother a new life. For that I will be eternally grateful. Please accept my deepest condolences. Our families will forever be changed for having her in our lives and will never be the same now that she is gone. I will always honor & cherish my memories of Aunt Merle. I hope you all find peace in your hearts with her passing. I will pray that you do. God Bless you. I love you all, Margo Mark L. Grover Mark_Grover@BYY.EDU Merle was definitely one of my favorite cousins. Since we didn't live close family funerals were made enjoyable because we would get together and talk. I loved her many stories. She was such a delight and will be missed by all who knew her. She would not want a sad funeral so get together and talk. I will miss her. My prayers are with you her children. Delmar & Myrna Anderson Dear Lori, Mark & Brint, Your Mother was an exceptional woman and we loved her very much. When you lived in Ammon it was my opportunity to serve with her in several capacities in Church and alway enjoyed the things we did together. She was very efficient and fun. Please accept our condolences and know that we are thinking of you at this hard time in your lives. Your Mother was special and we pray that Heavenly Father's blessings will be with you. We are sorry to not be able to attend her funeral but our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Love, the Andersons Lauri Carpenter Sorry about your loss. I send my sympathy to the whole family and I hope the Lord will be with you to ease your pain. Mitch and Paula Kvarfordt We loved your mother so much and will miss her cheery smile. We always felt so much compassion and love from her. She accepted everyone fully and without judgement. Sorry we missed the funeral today, we just heard that it was this morning. Our love and thoughts are with you, Kvarfordt Family Lauri Carpenter Lauriidaho@yahoo.com Sorry for your Lose of your mother my heart goes out to you and her brothers and sisters i hope that the lord will hold you in the hollow of his hands and help you get through your grief with all my love.