Nina Anderson Mecham, 85, of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2011, at The Willows Assisted Living in Blackfoot.
Nina was born May 20, 1925, in Goshen, Idaho, to Andrew Christian Anderson and Clara Marie Jensen. She attended schools in Shelley, Thomas and Moreland and graduated from Blackfoot in 1943. Later, she attended business college in Pocatello. She lived in Goshen, Shelley, Riverton, Thomas, Riverside, Blackfoot and Pingree, Idaho.
On March 20, 1944, Nina married Alvin John Mecham in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They were later divorced.
Nina was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had many callings in Primary, including president, Cub Scout leader, MIA advisor, visiting teacher and a Relief Society teacher for many years. She enjoyed her callings and always served faithfully.
She was also a member of the Lady Wool Growers and was a 4-H sewing leader for many years.
Nina had many jobs out of the home, but being a mother was her favorite. Her first paying job before she was married was at Howles Creamery and at Hale Drug Store. Later, she had several jobs in Blackfoot, beginning at The Merc, FRISPO Manufacturing, Sew-Ciety Fabric and Blocks. When Blocks closed, she did bookkeeping for Melina's and Bob's Sheet Metal. Along with these jobs, she kept a busy and full schedule with her home, family and the family farm. In her free time, reading was her relaxation. She could travel and do all that she desired with a good book. She loved to sew and she could make anything. She enjoyed organizing, emceeing and modeling in fashion shows. She loved to garden and always said that "a little dirt under her fingernails was good therapy." She also enjoyed making her country home a little bit of heaven on earth. Her greatest enjoyment was her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She liked things to be "Peaceful!" She will be lovingly missed by those whose lives she touched.
Nina is survived by her sons, Kurt (Evelyn) Mecham of Blackfoot, Kris (Stephanie) Mecham of Salt Lake City, Blake (Sherrie) Mecham, Dayle (Kathy) Mecham and Val (Kellie) Mecham, all of Pingree; daughters, Shirlene (Bob) Atwood and Barbara Mecham of Pingree; sisters-in-law, Irene Anderson of Blackfoot and Delsa Anderson of Twin Falls; 25 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Monte, Blaine, Dale and Ray; sisters, Jenave, Eulala, Laura, Alice and May; and one great-grandson, Macsen.
Grandma's funeral was a wonderful tribute to her and her life. We love you and we will miss you!
Grandma and Grandpa Murdoch came up to celebrate Bray's birthday the weekend before his Birthday. We had a lot of fun! Friday evening we enjoyed visiting with them and listening to the BYU game. Saturday we got up and went to the movie Rapunzel. Saturday evening was full of BYU and USU basketball games. Brayden loved his gifts and we all had a wonderful weekend. I did not get any pictures of Grandma and Grandpa with Bray. We had a fun weekend thanks for coming up!
After the first game we enjoyed dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and spent the rest of the evening swimming. We stayed in a hotel by the river and enjoyed spending Friday morning outside playing. Good Season Rigby, we can't wait till next year.
