Florene D Cackett

Florene. D. (Rich) Cackett
1928-2021

Our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away on May 3, 2021 In Boise, Idaho.
   Florene was born to Florence (Hoffman) Rich and Clifford C. Rich on October 3, 1928 in Arnold, Nebraska shortly after her brother Donald. The family moved to North Platte Nebraska where her father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. The family then moved to Green River, Wyoming before being transferred by Union Pacific Railroad to Boise in December 1941.
   Florene attended North Junior High and graduated from Boise High School. At Boise High she enjoyed her years in acapella choir and being in the operetta “Rio Rita.” She was best known for her long red hair.
   In 1946, Florene married Chesley “Chet” Whittle upon his return from serving in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. Florene and Chet both attended Boise Junior College (BSU, Go Broncos). After BJC they went to California so Chet could attend “Cal Poly” at San Luis Obispo. After Cal Poly, college took them to Longview, Texas, where Chet graduated from LeTourneau University with a degree in engineering.
   Chet’s work took them to several cities. First, to Boise where Linda Renee was born. Then to Reno, Nevada where Chesley Glenn was born and then to Oakland, California where Chet Worked for Kaiser Engineering.
   The family moved with Chet to Khancoban, NSW Australia where Kaiser was building a dam. Living in the “Snowy Mountains,” for three years, with the Australian wildlife was a highlight of her life. On leaving Australia, Chet was sent to Thailand and Florene came home to Boise. They separated and later divorced a year later.
On April 1st, 1969 Florene married Jim Cackett. Florene and Jim ran their own business, “Jim Cackett’s Garage” with Florene doing the bookkeeping. They enjoyed boating, waterskiing, fishing and in the fall hunting with friends. In 1981 they bought property at Centerville, Idaho where they built a residence to enjoy summers.
   Florene loved her family and home. Her interests included gardening, and flowers, as well as feeding the birds and squirrels. Florene was baptized in the Emmanuel Church, Placerville, Idaho and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, IRAS Temple 40.
   She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brother Donald, husband Jim and several aunts and uncles. Florene is survived by her son, Glenn, his three grandchildren Aimee, Alexa and Austin and four great-grandchildren, Angelina, Abigail, Noah and Riley. Her daughter, Linda, her son-in-law Larry Reynolds, and his family Paula and Joe Brown, and Lance and Tristan Reynolds.
   The family would also like to thank the staff and employees at the Chateau De Boise for looking after her over the last several years as we know she enjoyed the company and companionship that she found there.