1923
Hilma
2011
Hilma L. Paarmann
October 23, 1923 — August 2, 2011
Hilma Laverne Paarmann, 87, born October 15, 1923 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away August 2, 2011 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was the oldest child of Emil Carl and Selma Seyfert Johnson, and grew up in the Oakland Valley area, west of Idaho Falls.
Her early education took place in a one-room schoolhouse in Oakland Valley and at New Sweden School. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1941; then set out for the Emerald City, completing her education at Wilson's Modern Business College in Seattle, Washington. She met her future husband, Robert Hugh Paarmann while employed at Seattle Boatworks. They married September 1, 1944 at her parent's home in Idaho Falls. Together they had three children, Janice Marie, Ronald Hugh and Carlene Sue. They lived in Idaho Falls initially, and then moved to Seattle in 1949. The family returned to Idaho Falls in 1958, following Robert's untimely death. Hilma was a remarkable mother and friend: independent, smart, kind, and fun. And proud that she achieved her goal of getting all three of her children through college.
Hilma was a highly valued payroll accountant at Idaho National Laboratory and retired after 27 years. She loved her work and took great pride in being able to chase down a five-cent discrepancy in the million-dollar payroll. In 1982, she was named Woman of the Year by the American Business Women's Association (ABWA).
In addition to working full-time and raising three children on her own, Hilma was active in several community organizations, including Lily Rebekah Lodge No. 33, where she served as Past Noble Grand and was awarded the decoration of Chivalry in 1974. She was also a Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls and a member of several bridge clubs. She was a charter member of the Friday Afternoon (FA) Bridge Club, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2009.
Hilma was an accomplished seamstress; her children frequently were dressed in beautiful hand-made clothes. She instilled her sense of creativity in all three her children. In addition to making beautiful crafts, she was a wonderful cook and belonged to a Christmas cookie exchange for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Selma Johnson, husband Robert, brother Lon Johnson, sister-in-law Bessie Johnson, nephew Verl Johnson, and brother-in-law Philip Tolles. She is survived by her children Janice (Martin) Knaphus, Ron (Marilyn) Paarmann, and Carlene (Monty Price) Paarmann, brother Ivan (Dorothy) Johnson, brother in-law Thomas (Carol) Paarmann, sister-in-law Joan Tolles, grandchildren Heather (Michael) Medema, Tyson Bradley, Sonja Knaphus, Emily Knaphus, Joddy (Greg) Binggeli, five great-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 6 at Buck Miller Hahn Funeral Home in Idaho Falls. The family will meet with friends and family one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice in her name. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls.
When: Saturday, August 6th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
Her early education took place in a one-room schoolhouse in Oakland Valley and at New Sweden School. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1941; then set out for the Emerald City, completing her education at Wilson's Modern Business College in Seattle, Washington. She met her future husband, Robert Hugh Paarmann while employed at Seattle Boatworks. They married September 1, 1944 at her parent's home in Idaho Falls. Together they had three children, Janice Marie, Ronald Hugh and Carlene Sue. They lived in Idaho Falls initially, and then moved to Seattle in 1949. The family returned to Idaho Falls in 1958, following Robert's untimely death. Hilma was a remarkable mother and friend: independent, smart, kind, and fun. And proud that she achieved her goal of getting all three of her children through college.
Hilma was a highly valued payroll accountant at Idaho National Laboratory and retired after 27 years. She loved her work and took great pride in being able to chase down a five-cent discrepancy in the million-dollar payroll. In 1982, she was named Woman of the Year by the American Business Women's Association (ABWA).
In addition to working full-time and raising three children on her own, Hilma was active in several community organizations, including Lily Rebekah Lodge No. 33, where she served as Past Noble Grand and was awarded the decoration of Chivalry in 1974. She was also a Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls and a member of several bridge clubs. She was a charter member of the Friday Afternoon (FA) Bridge Club, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2009.
Hilma was an accomplished seamstress; her children frequently were dressed in beautiful hand-made clothes. She instilled her sense of creativity in all three her children. In addition to making beautiful crafts, she was a wonderful cook and belonged to a Christmas cookie exchange for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Selma Johnson, husband Robert, brother Lon Johnson, sister-in-law Bessie Johnson, nephew Verl Johnson, and brother-in-law Philip Tolles. She is survived by her children Janice (Martin) Knaphus, Ron (Marilyn) Paarmann, and Carlene (Monty Price) Paarmann, brother Ivan (Dorothy) Johnson, brother in-law Thomas (Carol) Paarmann, sister-in-law Joan Tolles, grandchildren Heather (Michael) Medema, Tyson Bradley, Sonja Knaphus, Emily Knaphus, Joddy (Greg) Binggeli, five great-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 6 at Buck Miller Hahn Funeral Home in Idaho Falls. The family will meet with friends and family one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the charity of your choice in her name. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls.
Service Details.
Service
When: Saturday, August 6th, 2011
Location: Funeral Home
Address:
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hilma L. Paarmann, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors