Nida Jensen Keefer

Nida Jensen Keefer, 81, of Idaho Falls, passed away May 20, 2010, as a resident of the “No Place Like Home Assisted Living Center”.  She was under their devoted care and that of Aspen Home Health & Hospice.

Nida was born January 27, 1929, at Shelley, Idaho, to Marple Beaumont and Gertrude Vivian Gardner Jensen.  She was raised and attended schools in Shelley and graduated from Shelley High School.  She worked as a bookkeeper for many years at Clover Club Potato Company in Idaho Falls and Kayesville, Utah.

On November 14, 1959, she married Robert W. Keefer in Elko, Nevada.  She continued working as a bookkeeper for various accountants. She graduated from Massage Therapy School in Burley.  Nida was very compassionate and loved to help people, especially those with health problems.

In 1970, Nida and Bob left their mechanical eight-to-five jobs to find solitude and happiness on a picturesque mountain ranch west of Challis, Idaho.  She loved the outdoors and working on the ranch.  Challis became her life and home.  Nida was an artist and loved to paint.  The ranch offered a beautiful setting for her creative talents.  She was able to share those talents with the students of Challis High School by teaching art classes.  Nida loved young people, especially her nieces and nephews.  Her sense of humor, kindness, and fun loving personality will truly be missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by two sisters, RaeOla (Douglas M.) Rhead of Pocatello, and Mae Joyce Thomason of Aurora, CO; two brothers, LeOrnal (Helen) Jensen of Idaho Falls, and Ronal Bernell Jensen of Rapid City, SD; one step-daughter (Janet Keefer) of St. Anthony; one sister-in-law, Margie Jensen of Idaho Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one sister, Wyonna Kruse and one brother, Wendell E. Jensen.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the many friends and caregivers for their love and support to Nida.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday May 26, 2010 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 11:30 till 12:45 P.M. at the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.