Ila Blanch Backlund

Ila Blanch Smith Backlund, 94, our loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away Tuesday 4 October 2011 at the Gables in Shelley.

Ila was born 20 November 1916 at home in Shelley, Idaho to her parents, Francis Thomas Smith and Myrtle Anderson Smith.  She was the sixth of thirteen children.  She grew up on the family farm where she learned to work at an early age.  She attended and graduated from the schools in Shelley

Ila married Arnold John Backlund 20 May 1937 at Woodville, Idaho.  They were later sealed in the Logan, Utah temple 23 November 1937.  They lived and farmed at Idaho Falls, Shelley, and at Firth where she has resided for the past 68 years.

Ila was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many callings, even teaching primary in her 80’s.  She served in different offices of the Farm Bureau.

Ila could be found helping on the family farm until the last year of her life.  She also enjoyed hand work, crocheting and making beautiful quilts.  She was an excellent cook.  Her coconut, banana, and chocolate cream pies were a favorite.  She enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by her two children, Annette Eliason and Maurice (Carol) Backlund, 10 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, siblings, Dean (Zola) Smith, Donna (Carlos) Nielsen, Mildred Schwabedissen, Maxine Ransom, Vanda Kendall, and Dorothy (Richard) Cradall.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Arnold, grandson, Lance Backlund, son-in-law, Lynn Eliason, brothers, Lee and Kenneth Smith, sister, Lucille Jensen and three infant siblings.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday October 8, 2011 at the Firth Stake Center (823 North 675 East) in Basalt.  The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday 11:30 till 12:40 prior to the services at the church.  Interment will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery.