Arnelda A. (Gillmore) Avelsgaard

Arnelda A. Avelsgaard, 85, our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away at home on Saturday, October 14, with loving family at her side. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. – 208-442-8171. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise at 3 PM on Monday. The family will greet loved ones and friends at the Nampa Funeral Home on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 4 – 6 PM

Arnelda was born on October 2, 1932 to George and Margaret Gillmore in Cherryville, Kansas, moving to Idaho at the age of three.  She was reared and educated in Nampa. At the age of 16, she was introduced to her future husband by her brothers while working on the railroad.  They married on December 31, 1948 and were together just two weeks shy of their 58th wedding anniversary when daddy passed away on December 14, 2006.  From this union were born three girls, Margaret, Judith and Randi. During her lifetime she worked as a vet tech and nurse’s aide. She also worked over 20 years as a florist at the Nampa Floral and over 10 years for the Nampa School District retiring in 1998 as a night custodian.  She enjoyed making the wedding flower arrangements and bouquets for her grandchildren’s weddings.  When her eyes began to fail, she could almost make arrangements with her eyes closed.  Throughout her life she enjoyed camping, water skiing, gardening and reading. She loved humming birds, raggedy Ann and Andy and had a large bell collection. Arnelda and husband loved to dance.

She is survived by two daughters, Margaret (Gary) Palmer, Meridian, ID and Randi (Norm) Wasikowski, Fernley, NV; two brothers, Jim (Stella) Gillmore, Marsing, ID and Homer Gillmore,  Caldwell, Idaho; one sister, Shirley (Alvin) Hunsperger, Middleton, ID; a sister-in-law, Joyce Gillmore; five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and her faithful schnauzer companion, Jody. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, daughter Judith Gwendolyn (at age 7), and three brothers: Louis, Kenneth, and Byron.

The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity.

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