Doris L. Van Riper "Billie Lou" Guernsey

Doris Louise "Billie Lou" Van Riper Guernsey, age 90, went to be with her Lord and daughter Deana Kaye Guernsey Griffin on April 24, 2012. She passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her loving family. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, Payette. There will be a celebration of life at the Methodist Church in Payette in May, when family can gather. Condolences may be made to Billie Lou at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.

Billie Lou was born, the first of two daughters of Lawrence and Eethyle Van Riper, March 18, 1922 in Buhl, ID. She was active in Campfire girls, attaining their highest rank. She was a member and President of the Girl Reserves. One of her most prized memories was her 13 years of perfect attendance at Presbyterian Sunday School. She graduated from Buhl High School in 1940. She then attended Colorado Woman's College in Denver her freshman year, 1940-1941, transferring to the University of Idaho where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She met Roger Lewis Guernsey, a forestry student at the U of I on a blind date and they were married in Mississippi in 1944. He proposed after knowing her two weeks. "During WWII there was a sense of urgency across the land." Billie boarded the train and she and freshly minted 2nd Lt. Guernsey were married at Camp McCain, MS on Feb. 5, 1944, exactly 365 days after having first met. When Roger shipped out for Europe on the Queen Elizabeth, Billie Lou took the train back to Idaho. There she taught at Gooding High School for two years. After the war, the couple returned to the U of I to complete their studies. Roger got his degree in Forestry, but Billie Lou's pregnancy required that she rejoin her parents in Jerome, ID. Thereafter, the couple raised three daughters; Linda, Marilee, and Deana Kaye in Boise. That accomplished, she persevered and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1965, the same year that eldest daughter Linda graduated from High School. With her BS in Home Economics, she taught in the Boise schools at Capital High School, East Junior High School, Boise High School and Hillside Junior High. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and is a past president of Chapter BC in Boise and a member of Chapter C, Payette, at the time of her death. She had also been a member of the Jerome chapter of the Eastern Star, past president of Owyhee Toastmistress Club in Boise, Syringa Federated Women's Club of Garden Valley, a member of Southminster United Presbyterian Church in Boise and an associate member of the Borrego Springs, CA United Methodist Church during the "snowbird" season, where she chaired several huge rummage sales. Upon residing in Payette she considered Southminster Presbyterian in Boise her church until transferring to the Payette Methodist Church and regularly attending the Crystal Cathedral with Robert Schuller on television as her Alzheimer's kept her at home. In retirement she enjoyed some 16 winters as a snowbird, mostly at Borrego Springs, CA. She served as a park volunteer for the Anzo Borrego State Park. Summers were spent at Terrace Lakes Resort in beautiful Garden Valley, ID. This arrangement was truly the best of two worlds.

She was a gifted artist and did numerous paintings of exceptional quality in oils and acrylics, jewelry making, sewing and crafts. She was noted for her sense of humor and desire to make those around her smile and laugh. Even in her final days her caring for others was very evident. After having traveled in all 50 states and many foreign countries, they chose Payette, ID as the best place for a year round residence. They thought the best place in Payette was a Little Country Village. She transferred her membership in P.E.O. to Chapter C, Payette. Her most cherished friend was an outrageously adorable dog, a mini dachshund named Lucy who was her constant companion. Billie and Roger were married 68 years, celebrating their 50th anniversary with a cruise through the Caribbean and the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal courtesy of their daughters. She was preceded in passing by her parents, Lawrence and Eethyle Van Riper of Jerome, ID and youngest daughter Deana Kaye Griffin, who died of Hodgkin's at age 37. She is survived by her husband Roger; her dachshund, Lucy; her sister Charlotte Jacobson of Boise; daughters, Linda Tuley (Dean) of Twin Falls and Marilee Johnson (Charles) of Arlington, VA; grandchildren, Bryan Tuley of Boise, Danae Tuley of Washington D.C., and Andrea Johnson of Baltimore, MD; nieces Sue Ellen Hirtle (Jonathon) of Eagle and Betsy Hernandez (Frank) of Boise. The family is profusely grateful to those many wonderful folks who helped provide comfort to Billie during her last days: Dr. Cabrera, the splendid care by Payette Care, the so very special support of St. Luke's Hospice staff, especially her personal caregivers those last four days, grandson Bryan Tuley and Julie Patterson. The family suggests memorials be made to PCE (Program for Continuing Education) or one of the other educational projects for women sponsored by the P.E.O. Sisterhood (which can be made online at www.peointernational.org) or the charity of your choice, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661.

Service Details.

Service

When: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address: