Wilma Baird Fisher

   Wilma Baird Fisher, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and loved ones, on March 5, 2023. She was 88 years old.

   Wilma was born, the eighth of eight children, to Daniel Cumming Baird and Ona Lucinda Nebel Baird, in a small log home in Cowley, Wyoming, on June 30, 1934. The town of Cowley was settled just 34 years earlier, by LDS Pioneers, and the little log cabin she was born in, was one of 18 log homes built in the town that first year in 1900, by her grandparents, Robert and Sarah Baird. Wilma's father had come with his parents, at age 13, from Heber City, Utah, to help settle Cowley. Wilma's mother was born in Star Valley, Wyoming, and had moved to the nearby town of Kane, Wyoming. After marrying, Daniel and Ona made the little log cabin in Cowley their home, though it did not yet have an indoor toilet when Wilma was born. Her father owned a school bus, and drove it during the school year to pick up kids for school, and in the summer, Wilma remembered the family taking vacations in her Dad's school bus.

   Though the humble little log home Wilma grew up in may have lacked many modern conveniences, it was brimming with love. Wilma was blessed with the shining examples of four strong and courageous sisters who went before her to become loving wives and mothers, and three brave and resourceful brothers who served their country in World War II and the Korean War, and went before her to become loving husbands and fathers.

   Wilma graduated from Cowley High School, with the Class of 1952. Not long after, she visited her sister, Laura Mae Baird Dickson, in the Seattle, Washington area. There at church, she met a young soldier, David Earl Fisher, who was stationed there. As the Korean War drew to an end, David was discharged, and he and Wilma were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, March 1, 1954. David was from Salt Lake City, and the two originally made their home there, where their first two children, Cindy and Marianne, were born.

   In 1958, Dave and Wilma Fisher moved back to Cowley, Wyoming, where the rest of their children were all born and raised. David and Wilma were active in the Cowley Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where Wilma served in a number of callings in the Primary, Young Women's and Relief Society Organizations on both the Ward and Stake Level. Wilma also worked as the Cowley Elementary School Librarian and drove a school bus. She developed many friends and cherished relationships with those she associated with through her church service and at the school.

   David worked as a machinist for Western Sugar Co., in Lovell, Wyoming, where in October 1993, he suffered a severe accident that left him paralyzed. After months in the hospital in Billings, Montana and then Salt Lake City, Utah, David and Wilma moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where they could get the long-term care needed for David. This was a very difficult time, as Wilma had to leave friends and family in Wyoming, move to Idaho, and learn to care for her husband around the clock.

Between 1993 and 2005, when David died, Wilma spent virtually every waking moment caring for her husband. Nevertheless, she developed many new friendships, while living in Pocatello, and came to love her new home.

   Since 2005, Wilma has lived at her home in Pocatello, surrounded by some of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her home was seldom quiet, and was a favorite, welcome place for many to gather over the years. She was able to focus all her energy into being the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother anyone could ask for, by crocheting baby blankets for all the great grandchildren, making lots of home-baked goodies, reading story books, and hosting holiday feasts at her cozy little home.

   In the course of her life, Wilma bore some incredible burdens, with a smile and with dignity, and she stands as an example of love, compassion, and faith to all who knew her. Certainly Wilma would want all who helped her through this difficult time to know of her eternal gratitude.

   Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Ona Baird, her siblings, Ona Toynette (Marion) Tippetts, Floyd Eugene (Norma) Baird, Reva (Wayne) Bennion, Marguerite (Carlos) Henderson, Melvin Nebel (Jenny) Baird, Robert Nebel (Ann) Baird, Laura Mae (Gwynn) Dickson, her daughter, Patti Fisher Dover; daughter-in-law, Hae Gyung Heidi Fisher; and great grandson, Tyler Fisher Barnes. Wilma is survived by her brother Melvin's wife, Jenny Baird; and her husband David's sister, Caroline Thomson, as well as her children, Cindy (Byrne) Hopkin, of Pocatello, Idaho; Marianne (Rodney) Flahaut, of Pocatello; Gail (Russell) Graves, of Cookeville, Tennessee; Son-in-law Bret Dover, of Pocatello; Gilbert (Sangsoon) Fisher, of Fresno, California; Scott Fisher, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Amy (Lance) Schwope, of Franklin, Idaho. She is also survived by 36 grandchildren (including 3 step grandchildren), and more or less 81 great grandchildren (including step grandchildren and a few on the way). Though not specifically mentioned by name, it is certain that Wilma would want all her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their spouses--and their friends, and all who entered her home, to know that she loves them all.

   A viewing will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 from 6-7 pm in the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 11:30 am, in the LDS Chapel located at 550 W Cedar St., in Pocatello, Idaho. A viewing will immediately precede the funeral services at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S 5th Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83204.

   A live-stream and recording will be available March 11th at 11:30 am on the Cornelison Funeral Home Facebook page. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
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