Lydia (Toots) Edaline Chaffin

Lydia “Toots” Edaline Chaffin, 98, passed away September 24, 2013.

Mom was born to Julius (Gustav) Edward Bergeman and Emma Kastning Bergeman in Fairmont, Minnesota, on April 2, 1915, the sixth child of 11 children.

Her parents and the children moved numerous times to various towns in Utah before moving to Blackfoot, in 1932, sometimes living in a tent. She attended school until the 8

th

grade.

When mom was 17, she met Melvin L. Chaffin, and they were married on January 11, 1934 in the St. George Temple.

Their first daughter (Darla) was born in 1936 followed by Joyce in 1939 and son Kay in 1941.

In 1945 they bought a farm in the McDonaldville area where they all worked hard.

As soon as the kids were old enough to fend for themselves, mom went to work as a waitress at the Wagon Wheel Cafe, a cook at State Hospital South, and at American Potato, to name a few.

In 1958 they adopted son, Chris, and spent many wonderful years spoiling him and being grateful he had come into their lives.

In the early 60’s, they rented the farm and moved to the Taber area where dad worked for J.R. Simplot and mom cooked for the hired help.

They later transferred to Payette and then to Moses Lake, WA.

They moved back to the farm in Blackfoot, built a new house, and then sold it to move to St. George and warmer weather.

After a few years, mom needed help with dad because of his declining health and they moved back to Blackfoot.

Dad died in November of 1989.

In 1995 during a visit to Chris and his family in Spokane, she suffered an aneurism rupture in her spine, and she became dependent on her wheelchair.

Mom moved several times to Sunset Manor, the Willows, and finally to the Bingham Extended Care Facility for the past nine years.

Mom and dad were members of the Bingham County Mounted Sheriff Posse for a number of years and had many good times with friends riding in the mountains and traveling to various towns.

She enjoyed raising canaries from eggs, canning, cooking, being a mother and grandmother, and reading.

She always enjoyed the grandkids visiting and staying with her.

She is survived by her children:

Darla (Leo) Shelley of Alamogordo, NM, Joyce Huskinson of Rexburg, Kay (Sharon) Chaffin of Blackfoot, and Dr. Chris (Lisa) Chaffin of Spokane, 12 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mel, son-in-law (Ralph Huskinson), all ten brothers and sisters, and parents.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 30, at 1:00 pm at the Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak, Shelley.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm prior to the services.  Interment will be at Fielding Memorial Cemetery.  The family would like to thank the nursing staff at  the BECF.