Annette J. Wilson

Annette (Ruth Jones) Wilson, 87, of Rexburg, Idaho passed away on April 19, 2024 from natural causes.

Annette was born in Shelley, Idaho to Phillip and Lila Jones on Nov. 6^th, 1936, the 3^rd of 4 children.  She spent her childhood and teenage years growing up on the family farm just south of Shelley with her parents and her 3 brothers, George, Jim, and Roger.

Annette graduated from Shelley High School in 1954. In March 1958, she married William (Bill) Young from Goshen Idaho.  The couple lived on the Jones family farm until 1963, when the couple purchased Bill’s childhood home and moved to Goshen. Annette and Bill had four children: David, Vicki, Tony, and Terri. Annette and Bill were eventually divorced.

On December 14^th, 1973, Annette married James (Jim) Wilson, her high school sweetheart. The couple moved several times over the next few years before building a home in Firth, Idaho, doing all the labor themselves.  After raising their 5 children (Annette’s four plus Jim’s son Dee), the couple eventually relocated to Rexburg Idaho, where they have lived for the past 30+ years.

Annette was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and she served in many callings over the years.  Annette and Jim were sealed in the Idaho Falls temple in June of 1993.

Though small in stature (4ft-11in tall), Annette had a fun, sparkly, and spunky nature that people were immediately drawn to. A warm, crooked grin and a sparkle in her eye made folks she had just met feel like they were life-long friends.  She developed many long lasting friendships, especially with young adults and missionaries which they “adopted” over the years.

Annette was a devoted mother and grandmother.  She loved spending time with her family and would do anything for them.  She loved taking pictures of all their activities through the years and eventually turned all of her photographs into dozens of personalized scrapbooks of all of their adventures.

Perhaps Annette’s greatest joy in life was traveling with Jim. For many years, Jim drove charter buses for a commercial bus line and for BYU Idaho, and she loved riding along.  They would often go for drives in the back roads of Idaho. They made several road trips across the country to visit family in other states.  At one time, they purchased a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and rode it together up Highway 101 from California to Oregon. 

But Annette’s favorite place to travel was the Oregon Coast, which they visited many, many times over the years, often taking their children and grandchildren along.  Annette loved walking on the beach, searching for agates, feeding the seagulls, having clam chowder at Mo’s, and visiting the lighthouses along the coastline.  This love was reflected in her home which was decorated with lighthouse models, nautical décor, and multiple photographs of her family and friends.

Annette is survived by her husband, James Wilson, and her 5 children: David Young, Vicki McLellen, Tony Young, Terri Rhoades, and Dee Wilson, along with 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM MDT Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Hidden Valley Ward Chapel, 314 E 2^nd N, Rexburg, Idaho. The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:30AM till 10:45AM at the church. Burial will be at 3:00PM  in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home.