Rhoda Pearl Bequette

Aug. 14, 1939 - Aug. 5, 2020

Date of Service: Aug. 12, 2020

BURLEY – Rhoda Pearl Bequette, an 80-year-old resident of Burley, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls.

Pearl was born August 14, 1939, in Bella Bella, a small fishing community on the Northern Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Pearl was proud of her ethnicity (a full-blood member of the Heiltsuk tribe). She spent her early life there raising her first four sons: Ryan, Mike (deceased), Karl, and William (deceased). Over the years she returned to visit friends and family there.

An American carpenter, Louis Bequette, from California came to help build a hospital in Bella Bella. He and Pearl met and fell in love. After the hospital was finished they married and moved away to Spirit River, Alberta to a cattle farm that Louis had purchased. Another son, Louis Jr., was born here. They lived there about eleven years then Louis decided to move his family to central California. After a few years in California, Louis bought a farm near Burley, Idaho, where they have since lived.

She is remembered for her sweet smile, her sense of humor, standing up for the underdogs, and her tasty cinnamon buns. She is also known for her stubborn streak which was tempered with love. The last few years were challenging with multiple health issues arising. Fortunately she was lovingly cared for by her husband, Louis, who made her welfare a priority.

Even though Pearl has not been back to Bella Bella for many years, she is remembered by her tribe and hundreds of condolences have been received from them on social media.

She is survived by her husband; her sons, Ryan, Karl, and Louis Jr.; and two brothers, Charles and Chester.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Mike, and William.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Pella Cemetery in Burley.

A live webcast of the Graveside Service will be available at the following link: https://youtu.be/FyrzpSubTDA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.