Edith Ann O'Donnell Wallentine

Edith Ann O’Donnell Wallentine, lovingly known as Eydie, passed away on August 23, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1953, to Bennett and Wanda O’Donnell in Rigby, Idaho. Her father passed away when she was 2 years old and her mother passed just eight days after Eydie turned 5 years old. She, along with her three sisters and two brothers were adopted by her maternal grandmother, Della Gray Barnes, and Dellas second husband Angus William Barnes.

Eydie enjoyed all the normal childhood experiences with her siblings and many cousins in Arco, ID. She was raised with conservative standards and Latter-Day Saint values. She graduated from Butte Highschool in Arco, ID in 1971 and then attended Rick’s College (BYU-I) for one year and decided it was not “her thing”. Her best friend moved to Logan, UT to attend Utah State University, and Eydie followed her there.

Eydie found employment at Casper’s Ice cream. It was here that she met a young man named Reed, who drove truck for Casper’s. The two were set up on a blind date on January 28, 1973. They enjoyed a date each night for the following week and by Wednesday they knew they wanted to marry. However, they kept their hopes a secret from their folks because the relationship had happened so fast.

Eydie was engaged to Reed on February 14, 1973, on Valentine’s Day. Reed’s mother and father fell in love with her immediately. Reed and Eydie were married for eternity on June 29, 1973, in the Logan, UT LDS temple. Reed stated, “Eydie was the most beautiful bride God had ever created.”

Eydie started her new life traveling, and even sometimes driving, with Reed in the semi-trucks. For that first year they traveled the United States visiting many beautiful places. Despite getting shot at during a strike, they had many wonderful adventures and grew closer and more in love with each mile. A short 13 months later Eydie was very pregnant and uncomfortable, so she made the choice to stay at home in Logan, UT while Reed continued to drive truck. Reed missed his wife and desired to be present for the birth of his first child, so he retained local work driving milk trucks.

Robert VanNess Wallentine was born on August 19, 1974. Eydie was a natural mother, mimicking the love she had learned early from her own mother and was shown to her by her grandmother for years after. Not long after Robert’s birth, Reed purchased his own semi and returned to the road and long hauling. Eydie dedicated herself to full-time motherhood, however, the small family could occasionally be found sharing the love of the road together. Reed grew tired of missing his young family and sold his truck. He took a job hauling milk with Dale Peterson Trucking in Lewiston, UT.

Eydie and Reed were excited to welcome a second son, Dale Bennett Wallentine into their family on April 10, 1976. Infant Dale was named after this employer who was admired as an upstanding employer, person, and friend. Their happiness was full but time together in the truck became less frequent. The growing family bought a house in Richmond, UT. Eydie spent her time making it a home for her little family. The joy she found being a wife, mother, and homemaker was felt by all those around her.

A year later, on May 2, 1977, Eydie’s joy became epic as she at last welcomed a precious baby girl into her family. Connie Wallentine was the apple of her mother’s eye. Making frilly dresses and doting on her little princess became a cherished and lifelong hobby.

Even though hearts grew and made room for everyone, their small house was bursting at the seams. Eydie and Reed sold the home in Richmond, UT and built a new one in Young Ward, UT. The new home had space for Eydie to continue her love of creating. It was during this time that Eydie developed her passion and talent for sewing. She even wore out her first sewing machine. Eydie enjoyed her three children, new home, big yard, and small farm, but she most enjoyed having her sweetheart home with her every evening in this new home. Eydie enjoyed callings in the Primary and in Relief Society while living in Young Ward, UT. Callings with the Primary children were her favorite and she would serve in the Primary on and off for most of her life.

In the early spring of 1980, Eydie was six months pregnant with her fourth child. She experienced a serious and life-threatening condition that almost took her life and that of the unborn baby she carried. She required daily shots that were administered by a trained neighbor every day for two months. Through many trials and miracles Eydie was able to bring her last precious baby into the world. Christian Reed Wallentine was born on June 15, 1980, on Father’s Day. Despite the dire predictions of the physicians, Chris was a perfect and 100% healthy baby boy. Eydie often teased that Chris was the only Father’s Day gift that she gave Reed that did not require batteries. Even though Eydie had always dreamed of having twelve children, she sacrificed her dream of having more children so she would be able to be here to raise her four beautiful children. This was Eydie’s way. Her entire life was dedicated to her family and especially her children. She always put the needs and dreams of her loved ones before her own. She set an example of selfless service and love for all who knew her.

Seeking financial opportunities took Eydie and her family from Young Ward, UT, to Clifton, ID, and eventually to the beautiful little community of Cove, UT. In Cove she enjoyed time in her church callings and enjoyed making many lifelong friendships. They lived, worked, and served in Cove for twelve years. In 1997, Reed and Eydie purchased a home in Lewiston, UT near Cove, UT. They started a tire business near the Lewiston highway. Eydie was the heart and soul of the business. She managed finances, kept books, and was the smiling face who greeted every customer. Eydie loved being near Reed all day, every day. She didn’t want to be apart for any amount of time, so Reed made her a kitchen and sewing room in the tire shop. Eydie thrived, having all her favorite people and hobbies under one roof.

While in Lewiston, UT, Eydie served countless years in the Primary and nursery. She loved the little children. Through her tireless service she gained the admiration and love from hundreds of children under her tender care. This service with the little children was just a taste of the joy she would find in the coming years as she welcomed the 28 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren who she called her grand rewards. She adored every one of them. She loved them with her whole heart. She would spend endless hours expressing this love through millions of stitches that were sewn, cross-stitched, and crocheted in projects both great and small. Each gift was a testament of her never-ending love and devotion to the recipient.

Eydie suffered from diabetes for many years. In 2020, she started experiencing extreme dizziness caused by diabetes. Through all her suffering and illnesses, she continued to pray, knowing that there was a great likelihood that she would lose limbs and have organs fail her, that the Lord would preserve her hands so that she would be able to create works of love and hold close those she cherished. On December 23, 2023, Eydie suffered a major heart attack after minor surgery. One paramedic attending to her was one of her beloved primary children and he shared his love for her from his earliest memories. On December 26, 2023, she had open heart surgery. She would endure ten surgeries, including several amputations, in the following year. As answer to her prayers and testament of her faith her hands were never affected.

In July of 2025, the effects of the dizziness contributed to a bad fall where Eydie received extensive injuries. Exactly four weeks later, after enduring more surgeries and weeks in the hospital, she was released by doctors to come home. Home was the place she most wanted to be and the place she had asked the Lord to allow her to return so that she could die there with her eternal companion at her side. She was assisted home by her devoted husband, Reed and caregiving son, Chris. Upon entering her home, she suffered a massive heart attack just feet inside her home. She passed from the suffering of this life, with Reed by her side and in her son’s arms, just as she had wished.

Eydie gracefully endured the pain and suffering of an imperfect body for many years. She now has returned home to her Heavenly Father where she is enjoying a perfect body that is free of pain. We know this and it was made possible because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of our Savior.

Reed has loved Eydie for the past 52 years and two months. He will continue to love her throughout all eternity. He says, “She is my universe and will continue to be so forever.”

Eydie is survived by her husband Reed Booth Wallentine, her children Robert VanNess Wallentine (Katie) of Topeka, KS; Dale Bennett Wallentine (Charity) of Fairview, ID; Connie Wallentine Goss (Corey) of Ogden, UT; and Christian Reed Wallentine of Lewiston, UT. She was honored to have 28 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Della O’Donnell, Jessie Simms, Suzanne Koefed and her brother Howard Williamson and adopted brother Larry Barnes.

She is preceded in death by her brother Eugene O’Donnell, her parents Bennett and Wanda O’Donnell, her Grandparents Della and Angus Williams Barnes, and 16 adopted siblings.

A viewing will be held in her honor on September 4, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lewiston 1st Ward meeting house located at 10 south 1600 west, Lewiston, UT, and from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on September 5, 2025, at the same location. The funeral service will then be held at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at the Paris, ID cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com