MEISTER, Woodeen

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ February 4, 2011 Woodeen Meister died peacefully Jan. 27, 2011, surrounded by family and in the care of a wonderful hospice team. She was born Sept. 29, 1937, in Winslow to Rozalia Despain Hayes and Woodrow Wilson Hayes. She will be deeply missed by friends and family. Woody and Rose raised her and her younger brother, Dale through the challenging years of the Great Depression and World War II. Woodeen's own childhood was painful and difficult as she struggled with the effects of multiple surgeries attempting to correct a missing hip socket. Woodeen lived with hip and leg pain her entire life, courageously facing the challenges of that pain while serving and loving others. She married Clifford Ward Meister Dec. 28, 1956. Together they raised six children: Daniel of Fort Mohave, Daleen, Coleen (Mark) of Loveland, Colo., Cindy (Carl) of Gooding Idaho, Jack (Karen) of Fort Mohave, and Sam. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Woodeen served Show Low, Arizona as a member of an ambulance crew. Even with her disabled hip, she worked diligently and consistently to provide emergency medical services. Many a family dinner was interrupted by a call to administer to the sick and the injured. Woodeen moved from Show Low, to Loveland, Colo. when she and Cliff divorced. She developed deep and lasting friendships in Colorado in addition to her Arizona friends. She loved creating artistic and beautiful crafts, stitching intricate Indian bead work, sewed wedding dresses for her daughters, and crocheted blessing dresses for her granddaughters. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participating in worship services and serving in various capacities in the Show Low First Ward, the Loveland Second Ward, and the Long View Ward. Woodeen was preceded in death by her parents, Woody and Rose. Her brother Larry Dale Hayes survives her. A viewing and funeral service was held Jan. 31, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1445 West 28th Street in Loveland, Colo. a viewing at 9 a.m., and funeral services following. A memorial service was held at the Show Low downtown chapel Feb 1. Graveside services were held in the cemetery in Joseph City near her beloved parents. The family extends their deepest thanks to the wonderful, caring staff of North Shore Health, to the hospice care team, and to the staff of Allnutt Funeral Service in Loveland. "You have made a difficult season much easier, have blessed our lives, and filled our hearts." Online condolences can be left at the Allnutt website: obit.allnutt.com