Nila Jean Stucki
February 20, 1932 – September 25, 2022
WILLARD – Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Nila Jean Stucki passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, September 25, 2022, surrounded by her family after a 7 year battle with dementia.
Nila was born February 20, 1932, on a cold snowy morning in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Carl Henry and Myrtle Elizabeth Sargent Oswald. Part of her mother’s dash to the hospital was by a horse drawn sleigh because the recent snow made it difficult for the car to make the trip! She was the youngest of 7 children, with 3 older brothers and 3 older sisters, all who jokingly complained that she was always pampered and spoiled, yet each one continued to treat her that way all her life. She loved her extended family, and with many of her nieces and nephews near her same age, that strong bond would remain throughout her life. Family reunions were a required family vacation every year!
She had a wonderful childhood in Coltman, Idaho, and loved the many lifelong friends she made there. She graduated from Ucon High School. She attended Ricks College briefly, then started working, first for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Idaho Falls, and followed by working at the Atomic Energy Commission near Idaho Falls.
On November 26, 1952, she married the love of her life, Darrell Eldridge Stucki, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their family grew quickly with 3 children (Darcel, Pam, and Darlene) added during the 4 years Darrell worked on the Palisades Dam. A 4th child (Delwin) was born when they moved back to Coltman/Idaho Falls. In 1961, the family migrated to Willard, Utah, which has been called home ever since. In 1963 the 5th, and final child (Diane) joined the family.
Her life was busy keeping up with 5 active children, a husband who was busy in church and community activities, and working part-time as a clerk at IRS in Ogden. Her love of reading became more of reading a story to a child as they went to sleep. Her love of dancing became less with a band in the ballroom dressed in heels, and more to the sounds of a phonograph in the living room in stocking feet, after the kids had gone to bed. Still, she always tried to arrive at the right place and at the right time for each of the ever increasing number of ballgames, concerts, plays, baby blessings, baptisms, weddings, etc. for each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild that was added to the family. She loved her family. Her strength, courage, sense of humor, gentleness and special gift with children will always be an inspiration.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in the Primary and Relief Society organizations. She enjoyed most of all serving together with Darrell as missionaries in the Orlando Florida Mission, temple workers in the Ogden, Utah Temple, and team teaching together the Temple Preparation lessons. After Darrell’s death in 2012, by her example she continued to teach everyone who knew her what it means to endure to the end, even when she no longer knew that she was still teaching.
Nila is survived by her children: Darcel (Teena), Layton; Pamela (Kirk) Braegger, Willard; Darlene (Brent) Wyatt, Brigham City; Delwin (Dixie), North Ogden; Diane (Dave) Berglund, North Ogden; 23 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Darrell; her 3 brothers: Nolan, Dale and Glen, and her 3 sisters: Iris Westergard, Florence Purcell, and Donna Ward.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Willard Peak Ward Chapel, 665 West 7615 South, Willard, UT. Friends may call on Sunday October 2, 2022, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City and on Monday from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Willard Cemetery. Funeral Service will be zoomed and can be viewed here: https://zoom.us/j/98518086386.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.myers-mortuary.com.