Naida Yost Olson, a lifelong Pocatellan, suffered a heart attack at home and died at Portneuf Medical Center on Tuesday, February 10, (her mother's birthday) 2015. She lived a full and beautiful life, made rich by her faith in Jesus Christ and her love for family and learning. She grew up in Pocatello and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1949. Married to Lyle Olson on July 1, 1950, at Paris, Idaho, they were blessed with four daughters. Except for a few brief intervals, Naida and Lyle spent their entire married life in Pocatello. Early on, she assisted her husband in his sewing machine business in Montpelier, Idaho, and became an expert seamstress, teaching classes to women who were customers. Later, they lived for a short time in Beaverton, Oregon, while Lyle was employed at the Portland Oregonian newspaper before returning to Pocatello. Here they remained, living for many years on Oak Street, before moving to their present home at The Cedars condominiums.
Throughout life Naida sought to further her knowledge, and she earned her Bachelor's degree by attending one or two classes per semester while raising her children. She eventually graduated from Idaho State University and taught home economics at Pocatello High School for two years. Naida thus modeled for her daughters the importance of learning and education: She was also a frequent room-mother at their schools, encouraged their classwork, attended school functions, fostered respect for teachers, and was active in the PTA. She planted and nurtured a love of art and literature by taking her daughters to museums, libraries and art galleries. Their favorite memories include their mother's frequent bedtime readings of classic poetry.
Naida's church family was very important to her and she was active in a women's Bible study group. She supported various health-charity fund drives, as well as helping the League of Women Voters with voter registration. She was active in a women's financial investment club for many years. Also, social bridge clubs and weekly duplicate bridge games saw her as a regular player. She was a member of the Native Plant Society, always seeking to further her knowledge of creation, and her flower gardens and houseplants flourished. She dabbled in the arts, and was quite skilled at photography, as evidenced by the images gracing the walls of her home. Even though she suffered from chronic back pain - or perhaps because of it - she was committed to an active lifestyle: she relished nature during occasional hiking, camping, and fishing trips; swimming was a lifetime sport, most recently in both The Cedars outdoor pool and the city Rec Center pool; and she also enjoyed cross country skiing for many years.
Traveling with Lyle to national journalism conventions was a highlight for her, and they often spent time together while Lyle fished Idaho's streams. The last few years of her life were marked by venturing further from home. She and Lyle traveled to the Netherlands to visit daughter, Karen, in 2011, and in 2014 Naida traveled with daughter, Christine, to visit Karen again in Vienna, Austria. Naida was an excellent cook and homemaker, and made many improvements to their condominium home, where she loved seeing deer pass through the yard. She and Lyle were looking forward to celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this year.
Naida was born on September 16, 1931, to John and Ina (Fister) Yost at Bancroft, Idaho. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, often sending inspirational quotes or poems to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by husband, Lyle Olson; daughters, Deborah Gaye Olson Ridder and husband Elvin, Karen Lisa Olson Shropshire and husband David, Christine Denise Olson Phillips and husband Michael, and Laurie Jan Olson Peters and husband Bob. Also surviving are grandchildren, Carol Ridder Watts and Christopher Ridder, Jennifer Brookhart, Sara and Lara Shropshire, Jordan, Jonathan and Stephen Phillips, and Alyssa Peters Miller and Jill Peters; great-grandchildren, Bennett and Graham Watts, Isabella Phillips and Michael Miller. Also surviving are her siblings, Faye Forrey, Ruth Ashcroft, Denis Yost and Greg Darlington. Naida was preceded in death by her parents, and granddaughter, Sarah Joy Phillips.
There will be a viewing on Sunday evening February 15, 2015 at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Services, under the direction of Pastor Roger Bray, will be conducted Monday, February 16, 2015 at Central Christian Church, 918 East Center Street Pocatello, ID 83201 (corner of 8th and Center) at 2:00 P.M. with visitation for one hour prior to the service. The family welcomes your presence and shared memories of Naida.