Odetta Poole

Odetta Jacobsen Poole, 83, of Basalt Idaho, passed away peacefully in her home on June 26th, 2021. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, we were all blessed to have the time to say good-bye to our amazing little Mother and grandmother.

Odetta was born in Elba Idaho, to Bernice and George Jacobsen. The family eventually settled in the Basalt area, where the homestead is still owned by the Jacobsen's. Odetta was the third of 5 children, Milo, Odell, Odetta, Bonnie, and Larry.

She graduated from Firth High School in 1956, and later attended Ricks College in Rexburg. Odetta worked for Western Union in Idaho Falls, where she later transferred to Napa California. It was in Napa where she met her tall good looking future husband, Clifford Kent Olive. They later married in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1958. Cliff and Odetta had 5 children, Beckie, Corolee, Cammie, Brett, and Ty. They were married for 31 years, and later divorced.

Odetta met and married Guy Edward Poole, the love of her life in 1989. Guy also had 5 adult children, Guylene (Ted) Taylor, Brett (Carol) Poole, Scott (Sonya) Poole, Deena Poole, Tracey (Ron) Barnes.

Having met later in their lives, Guy and Odetta were able to enjoy a wonderful and harmonious life together for 29 years. They both loved taking care of the sprawling lawns and many gardens in their little piece of the world, just outside of Basalt. Their love and talent was evident in those few acres that we all called 'Home'. Odetta and Guy enjoyed camping with family and friends, they loved traveling to Arizona for a few weeks to get away from the freezing Idaho temperatures. They were honored to serve an LDS mission together, working for the Bishop Storehouse in Idaho Falls.

Mom and Guy loved family time, barbeques with all of their kids and grandkids, watching the kids play football out in the yard, and playing in the water when they flooded the lawn. They made all kinds of things, and went to craft shows to sell their wares, which they really enjoyed. Of all the many things they did together, just being home, sitting on their back porch, and enjoying the view of their beautiful yard, and all the expansive fields in the distance was their very favorite thing to do. Her sweet husband Guy, passed away in 2019.

Odetta could often be found in the kitchen, with a grandchild helping her make bread. These little ones sure liked baking their own little loaves in the tiny bread pans their grandma kept on hand especially for them. Many a grandson was entertained playing cars under the quilting frame as our mother helped us make quilts of our own.

She was a great seamstress, we have many years of pictures with all 3 girls dressed alike in the clothes their Mother made for them. She made our prom dresses, wedding dresses, and baby blessing outfits. She took great pride in being frugal, and raising her family to appreciate what they had. Odetta sacrificed monetarily for, what was to her, the greater good. Her family was always her priority, and she willingly chose to stay at home and be with her children, teaching us all the value of hard work, endless love, and the joy to be had using our imaginations.

Odetta's grand children were entertained by helping to build huge snow forts in the 6-foot drifts that were common in her yard. The grandsons always said “Grandma can out work us any day of the week”. Grandma never quit until the job was done, and done right. If you ever visited Odetta's home, you couldn't help but notice the immaculate yard, and beautiful things she collected both inside and outside. It wasn't uncommon to see a small great grandchild with a bucket picking up pine cones for their grandma. They all loved to help her, and she made all the chores seem like fun. She had a personal relationship with every single grandchild, and great grandchild, she loved them all. Right to the very end, she had a smile and a hug for all her little great grandchildren.

Just over a year ago, she traveled to Hawaii with one of the grandsons, and they met up with another grandson living there on the Naval base. She loved the beauty of Hawaii, and was taken on a special tour of Pearl Harbor that most people never get to see. The best part of her trip was spending time with her grandsons and their families.

Odetta was preceded in death by her husband Guy, her brother Milo, Parents George and Bernice, her handsome grandson, Brad Edward Hunter, and a baby great great grandson, Colsten Dray Aicher.

She is survived by her sister Bonnie (Tom) John, 2 brothers, Odell (Shirley) Jacobsen, and Larry (Paula) Jacobsen. Her 5 children, Beckie (Wade) Quinn, Corolee (Brian) Bird, Cammie (Ed) Hunter, Brett (Jeniece) Olive, Ty (Alicia) Olive, Guy's 5 children, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a few great great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of loved filled sentiments, beautiful words, and shared memories, in behalf of their precious Odetta. This exemplary woman was loved by all, and it is humbling to witness how much she was loved and respected throughout her family, friends and community.

Funeral services will be held on Monday July 5th at 11:00am at the Firth Stake Center (825 N 675 E) in Basalt. The viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:40 that morning, also at the Firth Stake Center in Basalt. Burial will be in the Basalt Cemetery.











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