Billie Nordstrom Dean

Billie Nordstrom Dean, 93, passed away December 7, 2016, at Lily and Syringa Assisted Living. She was born in Ekalaka, Montana on January 12, 1923, to Bill and Ruth Strain Speelmon. She was the oldest of six daughters, two of whom died in infancy. The family moved to Mud Lake Idaho when Billie was 10 years old to join grandparents, Moreau and Romaine Speelmon who had homesteaded in the area. Billie rode a horse several miles to grade school. When she was in high school she went to a different school each year, boarding with families. Her senior year took her back home as they improvised a truck to be a school bus covered with a tarp and a stove to keep warm for the 25 mile ride to Roberts, Idaho. She was among the first graduating class in the "new" school in 1940. She met her future husband, Carl Nordstrom at a dance held at Lidy Hot Springs, near Dubois, Idaho. Carl and Billie were married August 8,1942 in Idaho Falls. Soon after their marriage Carl was inducted into the Army and Billie worked at the stockyards in Idaho Falls. Carl was released from the military in June of 1943 on an agricultural deferral to help his father farm. They moved to the family homestead North of Mud Lake. Billie was the "chief cook and bottle washer" for all that came. She always took care of her father-in-law Charles as he was a widower. Carl and Billie added four children to the family, Carla, Gerald, Linda and William. In the 1950's they filed on and improved 320 acres of the Desert Entry Program. They built a home on this land and moved six miles to a new home in 1959. They raised their children there and Billie was involved in all of their activities. She has always been a gentle, hardworking person with a cheerful and a positive attitude. She accepted everyone as they were and never said an unkind word. Her home was filled with warmth, kindness and happiness. Life was good for the family until Carl's untimely passing in March 1971. Billie's life changed suddenly and she moved to Idaho Falls and worked at the INL site. She met and married Larry Dean who was a pipefitter from Connecticut. They had 10 wonderful years of being together and traveling until his passing in 1984. She stayed in her home until being affected with macular degeneration. She moved to Lincoln Court Retirement Center in 2007, where she has been well taken care of and enjoyed many friendships and activities there. Billie has been an example to everyone and was loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to know her. She is survived by her four children; Carla (Ralph) Smith, Gerald (Ina) Nordstrom, Linda (Ron) Torgerson and William Nordstrom, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grand-daughters: sisters, Carol (Rolland) Campbell and Virginia (Jay) Schwendig.
Billie is preceded in death by her parents, two infant siblings, one sister (Joyce Muscutt), husband, Carl and husband, Larry. Memorial Service will be Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 12:00pm., at Buck Miller Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th St., Idaho Falls, Idaho
Family will meet with friends 1 hour prior. Inurnment to follow at Fielding Memorial Cemetery For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, family suggests the Mud Lake Museum, 1097 E. 1500 N, Terreton, Idaho 83450 Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to www.buckmillerhann.com

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Saturday, January 14th, 2017
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Saturday, January 14th, 2017
Location: Funeral Home
Address: