Roma E. Albrethsen

Roma Ethel Phillips Albrethsen passed away at home in Pocatello, Idaho, on July 18, 2015. She was born February 2, 1921, in Carey, Idaho to William and Ruby Phillips. She was the first of three children. She grew up in Carey, graduating from Carey High School in 1939. She worked in various jobs in Carey after graduation. She married Justin Dee Albrethsen in Twin Falls, Idaho, on December 20, 1944. When Dee went to basic training for the Army Air Corp in Camp Wolters, she boarded the train with an infant daughter and traveled to Mineral Wells, Texas, to spend 3 months close to the base until he was shipped out to Okinawa. Roma was not afraid of a challenge and always ready to forge ahead. When Dee returned, they moved to a ranch in Carey where Dee worked for his father. They built a house in Carey in 1950 and moved back to town.
Roma was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held many positions during her life. While in Carey she served in the Stake Sunday School and other callings. She made delicious angel food cakes and was always asked to furnish them for church dinners and other events. She was a good cook and hosted family dinners on New Years Day for many years.  Roma was always looking for opportunities to help others and contribute of her time and means.
She always enjoyed celebrating July 24 and participated in many town parades and helped decorate floats. One year she rode her horse sidesaddle in the parade. In her later years, she rode in a Model A with her twin great-grandaughters. Even though she didn't live in Carey full time in her later years, she enjoyed going back often and spending time. Her family bought a place in Muldoon and she was there often. She took charge of mowing the lawns and took pride in doing it.
In 1959 Dee went to work in road construction so she was living in various places with a home still in Carey.  Eventually, it was sold and they bought some property in Pocatello and built a home where she resided until her death. She made many friends in the Bannock Creek Ward and enjoyed being a member there. The support from her friends and neighbors has been exceptional and she appreciated the many things they did for her.
Roma thoroughly enjoyed her many relatives and friends. She was always supportive of her daughter and involved in her activities. She had a grandson she was very proud of and had many good times with. She had twin great-grandaughters she also loved and enjoyed babysitting while their mother was going to college. Numerous nieces, nephews and their families all enjoyed hanging out with Roma.
Roma and Dee really enjoyed traveling.  Some summer vacations were spent going to Mt. Rushmore, the Redwoods, camping trips to Redfish and Alturas Lakes. When Dee retired, they went twice to Alaska with their camper. Roma has a collection of plates from all the states and Canada that they visited.
She is survived by her husband, Dee; a daughter, Marilyn (George) Merrill, Chubbuck, Idaho; a sister, Joyce Butler, Boise, Idaho; grandson, Lloyd (Jamie), Pocatello, Idaho; 2 great-grandaughters, Daina (Josh) and Jaime (Greg); 9 nieces and 5 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, and a niece.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Bannock Creek LDS Ward Chapel, corner of Quinn and Hawthorne. The family will receive friends from 6-7 pm Friday evening in the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, 232-0542, and one hour prior to services Saturday in the church.  Interment will be in the Carey Cemetery, Carey, Idaho.  A complete obituary will be in a future edition of the Idaho State Journal.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com

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