Josephine M. Yrazabal Knox

Josephina Madelaine Yrazabal Knox completed her life's journey on July 11, 2014, at the age of 89, with her children by her side.

Her life was full and filled with love and she will be greatly missed.

Jo was born on July 29, 1924, to Agustin and Francisca Muguira Yrazabal, Basque immigrants from Euskadi, Spain. It was the hottest day of the year according to her mother. She was third of four children -- older sisters Eugenia (Lasuen) and Gloria (Sillonis) and younger brother Ralph.

She was raised and educated in Mountain Home graduating in 1942 just as WWII broke out. She was very proud of being a member of the MHHS Girls Basketball District Championship team.

She married her high school sweetheart, Robert C. Sumner, in January of 1944. Bob was killed in a bombing raid over Nagasaki, Japan, in March of 1945.

She returned to Mountain Home as a young war widow and began work as a waitress for her brother-in-law, Victor Lasuen, at the Manhattan Café. Her sister, Gloria, introduced her to a handsome young man from Twin Falls, Dale Eugene Knox, who had just returned from active duty. It didn't take long for love to bloom and they were married on November 16, 1946, in Pocatello, Idaho. They lived all of their married life in Mountain Home and raised their four children, Gayle, David, Debra and Michael there.

Jo was a homemaker for the majority of her life. She did work at The Merc as a checker for a number of years, retiring in 1974. She devoted most of her time caring for her husband, Dale, her children and then her wonderful grandchildren. She was an integral part of all their lives.

Jo was fiercely proud of her Basque heritage and instilled that passion into her kids, who continue the traditions today.

As a young wife and mother, Jo was active in the Catholic Alter Society, ESA Sorority, Elkettes and was a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary in Mountain Home. In Boise, she had memberships in Euskaldunak, Inc. and the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. She was an active member of the Euskal Lagunak Basque Association in Mountain Home.

Jo resided at The Cottages of Mountain Home for the last several years of her life until her death.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Dale; her parents; sisters and brother; brothers-in-law Victor Lasuen, John "Chuck" Sillonis, Jerry Knox, Pier Parrish, George Carroll, Robert Lee and Charlie Klucsarits; sisters-in-law Dortha Parrish and Bonnie Carroll.

She is survived by her daughter, Gayle Hatch, of Boise, son David (Elisa) Knox, daughter Debra (Randal) South and son Michael (Terry) Knox and grandchildren David Hatch, Kelly Hatch Mai, Carmen Knox Forsmann, Ryan South, Kristina Knox, Jared South, Jessie Winings Jewett, Kiley South Easley, Kimberly South, Jamie Winings Markham, Michelle Knox Yochum and Dale Knox. In addition, she has 17, soon-to-be-19, great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Ramona Yrazabal, Joyce Anderson, Donna Hobson and Camille Klucsarits, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A viewing will be on Thursday, July 17, from 4-6 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, followed by a prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m., also at Rost Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church on Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. with interment following at Mountain View Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Euskal Lagunak Building Fund, PO Box 88, Mountain Home, ID 83647.