Elayne White

Jun. 2, 1930 - Apr. 3, 2026

Date of Service: Apr. 13, 2026

RUPERT – Elayne Burns White, a 95-year-old resident of Rupert, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert.

Elayne was born June 2, 1930, in Compton, California. After the devastating 1933 earthquake, her family moved to Rupert, Idaho, and settled on a farm in the Pioneer area. In 1936, she began school at Pioneer School—something she was always proud of. In grade school, she played the piano for school programs and even stepped in to teach when the teacher was ill. She later attended Washington High School in Rupert and graduated in 1947. After high school, she attended Idaho State College, then transferred to Link’s Business School in Boise, where she earned her degree.

After graduating, she shared an apartment with friends on Warm Springs Road and worked for an insurance company in downtown Boise.

In early 1952, Elayne met Paul White on a blind date. They were married that Thanksgiving and celebrated 52 years together. In 1954, they moved to a farm in Rupert. Their home had three rooms and a path, and it was the place Elayne would live for the rest of her life. Elayne and Paul welcomed three children: Diana, Kathy, and Gary.

Elayne worked for two farming companies, handling payroll and bookkeeping. She later worked for the Minidoka County Agent’s Office and served as Fair Board Secretary. She worked in the Minidoka County Treasurer’s Office for 22 years, ten of those years she was elected as Minidoka County Treasurer.

After retirement, Elayne and Paul spent their winters in Yuma, where they made many friends.

Elayne enjoyed sewing and made many of our clothes. If we saw a dress in a store that we liked, she would go home and recreate it at her sewing machine. Later, she picked up quilting and made many quilts. Each grandchild received a special quilt on their wedding day, and each great-grandchild received a quilt when they were born. Elayne taught her daughters to sew, and they loved shopping for fabric with her.

Elayne truly enjoyed farm life—from hoeing beans to serving dinner each night for Paul’s bean-thresher crew. She kept a huge garden and took pride in her flowers and yard, even talking Gary into rearranging her flower beds when he didn’t want to. She loved being outdoors and mowed her own lawn until the age of 92. Friends and family often saw her outside on the four-wheeler, burning weeds, or sitting on her patio.

Elayne’s greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She and Paul tried never to miss an event and traveled near and far to watch football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, cheerleading, theater, music recitals and dance.
Mom and Dad taught us the value of hard work and the importance of family.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her son, Gary; her parents, Clifford and Hazel Burns; her brother, Earl Burns; her sister, Pauline Lawson; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her daughters, Diana Warburton (Dennis) and Kathy Bosh (Randy); her grandchildren, Jason (Emily), Jon (Emilee), Stacy (Jamie), Cory (Kailey), Brad (Anna), Michelle (Keegan), and Kilie (Jed); her daughter-in-law, Kay Saurey (Kerry); and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Mom—GG—will be deeply missed by her family.

We would like to thank Dr. Shumway and staff, Minidoka Home Assistance Services, Visions Hospice, St. Luke’s Palliative Care, Susie & Karyn and Autumn Haven for their love and care of our mom. We also thank Barry and Sheryl Whiting for being the best neighbors—always helping Mom and our family; her coffee friends for making time for coffee dates so she could enjoy your company; and her friends who visited, called, or sent cards. You meant the world to her. A special thanks to her best friend, JoAnn, for all that you did for mom.

The funeral will be held at 12 noon Monday, April 13, at the United Methodist Church, located at 605 H Street, in Rupert. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, and one hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/1Z_cQAHr9V4.