POCATELLO – Verda Ellis Gibson, 84, of 1052 West Quinn and longtime resident of Pocatello, passed away Sunday, May 3, 1998, at Bannock Regional Medical Center following complications from a fall.

She was born January 14, 1914, in St John (near Malad), Idaho a daughter of James and Lucy Neuenswander Ellis. She attended schools in Malad. Her marriage to Lynn Thomas ended in divorce. She married Dave J. Gibson August 19, 1935, in Malad. They moved to Smithfield, Utah, where they farmed prior to coming to Pocatello in 1938. Dave died in 1957. On April 19, 1958, she married Dave’s brother Eli Gibson, and they made their home in Pocatello.

Verda worked as a waitress at the Bannock Hotel for 30 years. In 1965 she received the “Waitress of the Year” award for the State of Idaho, the only time it was ever awarded. She enjoyed gardening, going for rides, playing bridge and spending time with her family. She was also very active with a group of friends that did water aerobics every morning and enjoyed having breakfast together, which she did until age 83. She was a member of the L.D.S. Church.

Survivors include: her stepmother, Lucy Ellis, Logan, Utah; husband, Eli Gibson, and son, Phil Gibson, both of Pocatello; a brother, George Ellis, Salem, Oregon; 2 sisters, Lila Morrison, Downey, Idaho, and Lorna Siler (Ernest), Logan, Utah; 9 grandchildren and their spouses: Janis Rhoads Chase (Roger), Gary Rhoads (Karen), Susan Fullmer (Dennis), Chris Gibson (Jill), Scott Gibson (Jeannie), Terri Cole (Tyson), Valerie Funk (Eric), K.C. Gibson (Donette), Trish Schiers (Robert); 21 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, first and second husbands, a son David Gibson, a daughter Marilyn Rhoads, an infant grandson, a daughter-in-law Patricia Olson Gibson, 2 brothers, Vern and Dean Ellis.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 6, 1998, at the Pocatello L.D.S. Ninth Ward Chapel, with Bishop Morris Bunce officiating. Interment was in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens.