Elmo (Reese) Winterbottom, 85, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, peacefully passed away at his home on September 25, 2025. Reese was born on March 1, 1940, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Elmo and Ida Winterbottom and was raised in the Groveland area outside of Blackfoot, working with many of the area farmers throughout his school years. In 1959, he graduated from Blackfoot High School, where he was active in sports and wrestling. Shortly following high school, Reese moved on to serve in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne Unit in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from January 1962 until his discharge in December 1967. It was always fun to laugh with him as he told his tales about his Army experiences. After his return from the Army, he attended trade school to become a welder.

Reese had a very strong work ethic and worked hard to ensure his family was always cared for. His career started at Westinghouse Electric and then construction with various companies to include Intermountain Gas, installing gas lines in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Everyone was happy when Reese took a position with U & I Sugar Factory, where he worked for several years before it closed, because it meant he was closer to home. After the closing of U & I, Reese moved the family to Green River, Wyoming, where he worked as a welder for Allied Chemical in the Trona Mines. After three years in the mines, the family moved back to Idaho Falls, where he worked for the INL as a boiler operator until his retirement in 2002.

Reese married Judy Fairchild in 1966, and they raised their four children: Kyle, Nancy, Bryce, and Matthew. Though they divorced after 24 years of marriage, Reese and Judy remained close friends through the remaining years. In November 1992, Reese met and married Emy Lou Winn; they were married until her passing in January 2024. Together, they enjoyed travelling in their 5th wheel and camping with friends and family. Another favorite pastime they shared was gambling at casinos across the country, and they never came home empty-handed.

Reese was a family man to his core and especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed entertaining his grandchildren with his tales of adventure - they loved listening to his stories. And Reese was a jokester! His playful sense of humor made every experience with him more fun. Reese also loved to cook, and he was always ready to tell you how to cook it. His famous chili was a July 4th tradition for everyone to enjoy after the parade. Some of our most cherished memories will be the family parties, reunions, camping, fishing, and hunting trips with all of us together.

Reese was a genuinely good man. His absence will be felt by all who knew and loved him; he will be greatly missed. His wonderful life and contribution will live on in the hearts and memories of each and every one of us.

Reese was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Ida; his wife, Emy Lou; stepson, Jeff Foster; his sisters, Nancy Rae Winterbottom and Peggy Jorgenson; and his brothers: Abe, Mike, and Barry Winterbottom.

He is survived by his children: Kyle (Pam), Nancy, Bryce (Emily), and Matthew (Celeste); stepson, Randy Foster; his sister, Judy Christiansen; 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

We are forever grateful for the compassion shown by his healthcare teams. Thank you to the United Energy Health Workers for the loving help and kindness they provided to Reese, especially his nurses, Heather and Shiela. We would also like to thank Jan Garland and her assistant, Danielle, of Bingham Healthcare Specialty Clinic, for the loving care and excellent medical services they provided to help make him comfortable.

Reese loved animals and had a special affinity for cats. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Reese's name can be made to any one of the many area animal shelters or humane societies.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2025, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends and family one hour prior to the services. Inurnment will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery following the services. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .

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