Gayle Jackman Waite

Gayle Jackman Waite, 79, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at a Boise, Idaho, care center of natural causes.

Gayle was born in East Ely, Nevada, on February 1, 1941, as the second child to Charles Albert Jackman and Gwen Christensen Jackman, where they were living while her father worked as an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. She married David Vernon Waite on August 1, 1961, in the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by her husband David V. Waite of 59 years; children Janette and Curtis Myer (Boise), Cris and Michelle Waite (Boise), Phil and Shirley Waite (Mesa), Rhonda Jill and Doug Barker (Ogden), Casey and Jennifer Waite (Weiser), and Jamie Jo Waite (Boise); and brothers Jerry Jackman (Oregon) and Neal Jackman (Utah). She has 21 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Gwen (her mother lived to be 103), her sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Roy Wilhelm, and sister-in-law Joyce Jackman.

Gayle served in many capacities throughout her life in her home, schools, church, community, and various jobs/career. She served as a County Deputy Sheriff for Union County, Oregon, and Ada County, Idaho, for 27 years. She graduated from LaGrande High School in 1959 and continued her education at the L.D.S. Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received an Associate Degree in Business Management.

Gayle loved spending time with her children and other family members. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, singing in a Sweet Adeline quartet with friends at local and state competitions, being a scout leader, various church callings, and was an accomplished pianist and organist, which she greatly missed doing as her health declined. She loved having their home a center for neighborhood children to come and play and enjoyed the many friends her six children had around the house. Gayle and Dave both enjoyed square dancing and were involved in several clubs. Dave served as a caller, and Gayle enjoyed the dancing and the social aspects with others sharing similar interests.

Gayle worked as the bookkeeper and general business manager for several years in the floor covering business, which was owned by her husband and his business partner. She began work as a Deputy Sheriff in LaGrande, Oregon, to support her three sons on church missions. After all three returned, she found it to be rewarding and continued to work and later attended and graduated from the Police Academy, advancing in rank to a Sergeant. She later transferred to the Ada County Sheriff Office in Boise, Idaho, so that they could both be closer to children and grandchildren. She retired from the Sheriff’s Department after 27 years.

Gayle lived the majority of her life in La Grande, Oregon, but also lived briefly in Nevada, Utah, and Washington state. She met her husband, Dave, in LaGrande and supported and encouraged him while he served his country in the U.S. Navy and was married after his honorable discharge.

Gayle was always willing to help and serve others and will be remembered by all those who she met on her earthly journey. Our memories will honor her as we continue to reflect on all the good she did for each of us. Rest in peace until we meet again.

A funeral service will begin Saturday November 14th at 11:00am at the Millcreek Ward Chapel located at 3555 So. Cole Road, Boise. Viewing will be from 10:00am - 10:45am prior to the services. Burial will occur at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Boise, Idaho at a later date.
 

The service will also be livestreamed for those who would like to view remotely.  Cut and paste the following link in your web browser:  http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/boiseidahoweststake