Wilma Lea Bristol, 79

Wilma Lea (Argo) Bristol, 79, died at her home in Dalton Gardens, Idaho, on Aug. 1, 2016, after an extended illness. Wilma was born on July 6, 1937, to Vivian Edith (Vannest) and Noel David Argo. Mom was born in the small village of Los Lunas, N.M. She had three older sisters and later two younger brothers. She often told us how she hated being stuck in the house cooking and cleaning; she wanted to be out with her Dad, the boys and the animals.

It sounds like Dad almost missed meeting Mom as she was visiting her Aunt in New Mexico the summer before senior year and actually didn’t want to return to Glide, Ore.; but the family needed her so she returned home. Dad had moved to Glide that summer and started school. Mom often laughed that Dad thought she was the “new girl in school” because she started late. Mom had many admirers but even though Dad was shy and didn’t talk much, he won her over with his charm and good manners. They married right after graduation; she was still 16 and Dad barely 18 years old.

Mom was a devoted wife and soon became the mother of four girls, all two years apart. She stayed home raising us girls in the early years and the house was always filled with smells of breads, cinnamon rolls, cookies or the many jams, fruits and vegetables canned during the summer and fall. There was an old wringer washer on the porch where she scrubbed clothes then hung them on the clothesline. Her work was never done.

Mom was fiercely committed to Dad and supported each endeavor but she must have suppressed the fear when he wanted to sell everything and move the family from Roseburg, Ore., to Post Falls, Idaho, to open a pizza restaurant with his brother. We never heard her complain as the house and business were sold, boxes packed and forced to say goodbye to her mother, siblings and many, many friends. And their next adventure began. Mom did the books for Pappy’s Pizza and life was very good. As the youngest graduated from high school, Mom and Dad started traveling with friends and visited Hawaii, Mexico, Arizona, and an occasional trip to Las Vegas.

Mom decided to get a job at Rite Aid (PayLess) in the mid-80s which led to a few fights between her and Dad. It was hard but she continued to take care of all the cooking and cleaning in addition to her full-time job. Mom retired from Rite Aid in 1999. Mom loved to cook and was always looking at cookbooks and recipes even after she became ill and no longer could cook. Mom was an avid reader and loved mysteries but was also fond of Norman Vincent Peale and Billy Graham. When one of us would complain about the weight of the world, she would often say something like “This too shall pass….” Or “If you think negative, then you become negative.”

Mom joined Dad playing golf and was an active member of a bowling league for years. Mom was a natural artist but took a few painting classes and created some “masterpieces.” Mom sewed many of our clothes including prom dresses and later nightgowns for the grandchildren.

When Mom got sick last year Dad became dedicated to getting her better and Mom would often roll her eyes and get “sassy” with him as he tried to force her to eat and drink. Dad called her his Little Puma and said she was a feisty one. Mom and Dad would sit on the couch, hand in hand, as he waited for her to drink the last drop of protein shake.

Dad passed away on May 1 this year and we don’t think Mom had any fight left in her. Mom was hospitalized in early July with a failing heart and fractured vertebrae. We brought her home and she died within three weeks.

Wilma leaves four daughters mourning: Wendy Lea Bristol, Boise; Debra Sue (Bristol) and Digby Edmondson, Rathdrum; Sandra Kay (Bristol) Nelson, Hayden; and Pamela Lynn Bristol, Post Falls. She is survived by her sister, Betty (Argo) Gardner, Grass Valley, Calif.; and her brothers and their wives: David and Arlene Argo, Roseburg, Ore., and Ray and Mary Argo, Roseburg. Her parents, Noel and Vivian, preceded her in death; as well as her sisters, June (Argo) Wilcox and Rose (Argo) Freeman. She has 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden Lake, Idaho, with a reception to follow. Please visit Wilma’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.