Esther Verleen Nuckolls, 88, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of August 19, 2018. She was known by all who loved her as Verleen.

Verleen was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1929, to Sarah and Henry Crapson on her Grandfather's farm in Savonburg, Kansas. As she fondly told all who asked her birthday, she came with the crash. Verleen grew up in Kansas. When she was a young woman she attended North West Missouri Teaching College in Maryville, Missouri. It is there she met Orville Nuckolls. They were married in 1947. Orville and Verleen had no children of their own but loved everyone who came into their home. Verleen often called her loved ones her "heart adopted Grandchildren."

Orville and Verleen left Northwest Missouri to live in California for a time. They returned to Missouri and opened Nuckolls Trading Post, first in Hopkins and then south of Braddyville, Iowa.

Verleen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Orville; her sister, Patsy Gaukel and her parents.

She is survived by her sister, Joyce (Leon) Henefin of Iodi, California; her Nephew, Charles Gaukel and his wife Alethea of the Home; several nieces and nephews; and her heart adopted granddaughter, Janet Rittenberry of Texas.

She was so loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Northwest Missouri. Her remains are to be interred at Blanchard Cemetery in Blanchard, Iowa. Local arrangements were under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.