Barbara Jeanette Rawlins Matson, 81, of Middleton, Idaho passed away peacefully from this earth on September 18, 2022, from pancreatic cancer. In her final days she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Meri Kay and Randall Woodworth. Barbara was born March 25, 1941, in Rexburg, Idaho to Alma Narvel and Jennie Brown Rawlins. Barbara has one older brother, Veldon Lane Rawlins. Barbara had a wonderful childhood, even though at age 5 she contacted polio. She had fond memories of her dad carrying her everywhere and her cousins coming over to play with her and color with her. Within a year she was walking and ready for 1st grade. She attended elementary school in a two-room schoolhouse in Newdale, Idaho. In 1949, they moved to LaBelle, Idaho. At age 9 she started driving trucks, tractors, and was milking cows by age 12. She was a hard worker. A boy name Jerry Kay Matson caught her eye and she made sure he was always in her 4H group and they started dating at age 14. She learned to sew from her mom and by the time she was 18 she made her own wedding dress from a pattern she designed. Jerry and Barbara were married July 1, 1959, for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had their first daughter, Meri Kay, in 1961. In 1962 their son Kendall was born. Their son Don was born in 1964, followed by daughter Jeny Lyn in 1966. Their daughter Ellen was stillborn in 1969. Four years later in 1973 on Ellen's birthday their son Robert was born. They completed their family with their 7th child Rebecca in 1976. Barbara loved everyone and welcomed many people into their home and made them part of their family. In the early years of their marriage, they moved around managing farms. They lived in LaBelle, Lorenzo, Moody, Howe, and Sugar City. In Blackfoot, Jerry went into sales and Barbara started a Bridal Shop. She made wedding cakes, sewed dresses, and helped people plan their weddings. Blackfoot is where their kids grew up and where they call home. Jerry began a construction business that eventually took them to Pasco, Washington until they retired and moved to Meridian and made plans to go on a mission. This had always been a dream of theirs and in 2009 they were called to the Jackson Mississippi Mission and served in the Slidell, Louisiana employment center. After their mission they moved to Middleton, Idaho where they fell in love with the community and lived the rest of their days. Jerry and Barbara were married 59 years at the time of Jerry's passing in 2018. She adored her 31 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She loved being a grandmother; she even created a "Grama School" to spend extra time with the grandkids. Barbara is survived by six children: Meri Kay (Randall) Woodworth of Boise, ID; Kendall (Kristi) Matson of Star, ID; Don (Clara) Matson of Pocatello, ID; Jeny Lyn (Thomas) Thornton of Williston, ND; Robert Matson of Boise, ID; and Rebecca (Jeff) Muir of Burley, ID. She is also survived by her brother V. Lane (Mary Jo) Rawlins of Lewiston, ID. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Kay Matson; her parents Alma Narvel Rawlins and Jennie Brown Rawlins; her daughter Ellen Matson; and three grandchildren: Peter Matson, Kathryn Matson, and Nash Matson. A ZOOM link has been provided for family and friends who are unable to attend the services. Click on the gold "Watch Event" in the service information. https://zoom.us/j/93922009495 Or One tap mobile : US: +12532158782,,93922009495# or +13462487799,,93922009495# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 939 2200 9495 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aPSSTpOUN
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