Lela June Niccum

Lela June Niccum, age 66, of Twin Falls, formerly of Wendell, passed away at home on Sunday, December 29, 2013. Lela was born on April 21, 1947, to Howard Niccum and Faye Thomason Niccum and grew up on the family farm in the Orchard Valley area south of Wendell. She was soon diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her parents cared for her at home and she attended the Cerebral Palsy school in Twin Falls and later continued her schooling privately with Mildred Floyd in Twin Falls. For many years she attended a day program where she learned skills geared toward independence. When her parents were no longer able to care for her at home she moved to an intermediate care facility in Twin Falls and eventually, with fulltime assistance, into a home she shared with two housemates. Despite her near blindness, the inability to walk, and other disabilities, Lela was a sunny, happy, forgiving person. She was witty and quick to laugh, anxious to please, and always ready for any outing, going out for coffee, a restaurant meal, shopping, visits with family, and any community event. Parades were a favorite event and she had a love for music and singing. She had a particular attachment to her nieces and nephews and remembered all the family birthdays. The family expresses appreciation to Bill Benkula of WDB, Inc., and the staff who provided compassionate care over the years. Lela was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Felton Turley. She is survived by her sisters Nancy Turley and Judy Johnson and her brother-in-law John Johnson, all of Wendell, ID; Also surviving are her uncle Robert Thomason and his wife Irene and her aunt-in-law Billie Jean Thomason, all of Harrison, AR; nieces and nephews and their spouses: Jess and Ana Johnson of Jerome, ID; Jonica and Brad Somerset of Jerome, ID; Donna and John Rios of Libby, MT; Doug and Christine Mecham of Las Vegas, NV; Marjorie and Garry Lopshire of Springville, UT; and 21 great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 2, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Parke's Funeral Home at 2551 Kimberly Road in Twin Falls. The family will receive visitors between 11:30 and 12:45 prior to the service. Internment will be at Twin Falls Cemetery.