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In Memory

Zelpha McKee (Bartschi Derricott) - Class of 1934

Zelpha Lillian McKee (Bartschi Derricott), 85, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away from pneumonia on January 2, 2002, in Meridian, Idaho. She was born March 22, 1916, in LaBelle, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Miller McKee and Minnie Lillian Lowder McKee; her ex-husband, Rulon R. Bartschi; husband, Fay S. Derricott; and stepson, Brent Derricott.

She is survived by her children, Julie Ann Bartschi Tueller (Larry) of Meridian, idaho, and James Rulon Bartschi of Healdsburg, Calif., and a sister, Dorothy Sneddon of Montpelier and Scottsdale, Ariz.; by grandchildren, Jody Kay Tueller Smith (Dave), Boise; Jill Tueller Baker (Kelly), Boise; Melissa Tueller Peterson (Clay) Gardnerville, Nev.; James Christian Tueller (Sharon), Boise; David Dustin Tueller (Julie) Reardan, Wash.; Jennifer Tueller Rhead (Joyce), Meridian; Dana Bartschi Fehler (Steve) of Petaluma, Calif.; James Aranow Bartschi (Stephanie) of Telluride, Colo., and step-granddaughter, Candice Derricott Slaugh (Dee) of LaPointe, Utah, and Cathlynn Derricott (Dwayne) of Vernal, Utah. She has 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Zelpha attended school in Montpelier and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1934. She married Rulon Rao Bartschi on June 22, 1934. They lived in Montpelier where Julie and Jimmy were born, and Rulon worked for First Security Bank. Eventually, they moved to Pocatello, Idaho, and then to Challis, Idaho, where they owned the Challis Hardware Store, and she worked alongside her husband. They were divorced in 1952, and Zelpha took her children back to Montpelier. There she worked for her Dad in the restaurant business.

Zelpha married Fay S. Derricott on Nov. 29, 1952. Over the years they lived in Montpelier, Soda Springs, Brigham City, Utah, Green River, Wyo., and Boise, idaho. Zelpha was always a hard worker and spent most of those years in the retail business. She eventually retired from Block’s Department Store in Brigham City as manager of the women’s and children’s department. When the Derricotts retired, they moved to Boise, idaho, but after five years, they moved back to Montpelier. She lived there until the death of her spouse. In April 2001 she moved to Boise to live with her daughter and family.

Zelpha loved to fish, and one of her special memories was catching a seven-pound German Brown Trout on the Green River in Wyoming.

For the past eight months she has enjoyed the association of her large family in the Meridian and Boise area. She had the opportunity to travel last fall to Nevada and get re-acquainted with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed helping with the canning this fall and the preparing of all the Christmas goodies. She loved books on tape and looked forward to her weekly visit with Jan at the Hair Salon and lunch out after. She loved the visits with her grandchildren and their families.

Mom had a deep and abiding faith in God, and it has helped her through many of life’s experiences. She had a huge capacity for love and an incredible sense of humor, which astounded all in her recent hospital stay.

There will be a family memorial service in Boise, Idaho, on January 10, 2002. A graveside service will be at Montpelier Cemetery on Saturday, January 12, at 11 a.m. under the direction of Matthews Mortuary.