Belva Wendolyn (Stredder) Riggs

Belva Wendolyn Riggs, 101, of Boise, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2015 in a Boise retirement home with her loving family by her side. She was born to John Stredder and Flora Parks Stredder on December 12, 1913 in Roseberry, Idaho. She lived in Roseberry, Homedale and Nampa, Idaho. She completed her elementary and high school education in Nampa. She attended the College of Idaho completing her education with a degree in elementary education. She taught school in Long Valley, Idaho for two years teaching all grades in a one room school house.

On June 6, 1937, she married her college sweetheart, Dorcey S. Riggs. In 1938, Jon Riggs, their only son, was born. They lived in Nampa, Homedale, Weiser, Grangeville, Pocatello and Boise. She taught elementary school in Weiser, Grangeville, Pocatello and finishing her career in Boise at Jefferson Elementary in 1975. Dorcey and Belva then became snow birds, spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona for 30 years. They also attended the Sun Valley Jazz Festival for years and were regular dancers at the Eagle’s Lodge. She belonged to P.E.O., Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile and the Ladies Golf Association at Broadmore Country Club in Nampa. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.

She moved to Hillcrest Retirement Center in 2011 upon the death of her husband. The staff and residents of Hillcrest became her second family. We would like to thank the staff of Hillcrest Retirement as well as Encompass Hospice for their loving care.

She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Jon and Karen Riggs; two granddaughters and their husbands, Wendolyn Jo and Mark Cannon and Nicole Lei and John Yraguen; four great grandchildren, Morgan Nicole Cannon, Macy Marie Yraguen, Chloe Rose Yraguen and Matthew Jon Cannon; a sister Emily Prest; two nephews and their wives, Jim and Judy Kindelberger and family and Harry and Debbie Kindelberger and family; and a neice and her husband, Marlene and Jerry Page and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Leva Pierce; and her beloved husband, Dorcey. Mother is now dancing with her favorite partner in Heaven.

The family will greet friends and family at a visitation and viewing on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. A private family burial will be held at a later date in the Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

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