Obituary of Harva L Driskell

Harva Lynette (Wood) Driskell of Grand View, Idaho passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, September 23, 2022. She was born on June 27, 1931, in The Dalles, Oregon to parents Harvey and Antoinette (Tony) Wood. 

   Harva was well known for her uplifting smile and cheerful attitude. She believed a smile was free and could make everyone's day better! She strove to show God’s love in everything she did. Her concern for others and kindness were infectious. Harva often said, “Remember, everyone you meet is trying their best”.  She chose happiness & joy. She set an example that will be hard to follow, but we'll smile and do our best. 

   She graduated Valedictorian from Ceres High School in California, and it was in that neighborhood where she first met Henry “Hank” Driskell whom she would later marry in 1955.  Her adoration for Hank was well known. They were married for 67 years. After high school, she attended Texas A&M on an ROTC scholarship.  She marveled that in ROTC the ammo was FREE, and she did very well in competition shooting. In her 80s she was still a great shot!

   She retired from teaching after 43 years – spanning all grade levels, general education, music, and art.  She’d go the extra mile to include each student and help them discover their inner talent.  She taught high school in Texas & Oregon, and grade school in California and Idaho.   She gave private musical instruction on many different instruments; she was a concert pianist and was accomplished on every band instrument.  

   Fiercely proud of her master’s degree from Boise State University in Musical Education, she was the first person in her family to ever graduate from college.  An avid BSU football fan, family members got a real kick out of attending games with her! Her enthusiasm was unrivaled!

   Her girls, Eleanor and Mitzi experienced a lifetime of adventure at Harva’s side and cherished every minute with their mom♥

   She loved people (family & friends) – and never met a stranger. Her top passions were reading, music (singing, performing, playing instruments), pinochle, travel, quilting, genealogy, art, nature, photography, and this spectacular USA. 

   She was a ferocious reader, and as a child, you could find her up in a tree while reading and re-reading her favorites.  Her friends at Eastern Owyhee County Library were the best at fulfilling her requests for new books.  She was a board member of Friends of the Library and Rimrock Senior Center serving in several positions. She often played pinochle at Rimrock Senior Center and with her loved ones.

   Harva was one of a kind and will be truly missed. She is preceded in death by her husband Hank Driskell, mother Tony Driskell, father Harvey Wood, stepfather Irvin Driskell, stepbrother Lee Driskell, and brother John Wood. She is survived by her daughters Ellie Driskell and Mitzi (Ron) Appodaca, her grandchildren Nels Gillett, Dustin (Crystal) Gillett, and Taylor (Theo) Allen, and great-grandchildren DJ Gillett, Phoenix Allen, Kai Gillett, and her sister Marion Ellen Moe.  Hopefully, you were lucky enough to be a member of her tribe – as a relative or through friendship.

   A Celebration of Life will be held where stories will be shared 4-6 PM Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Rimrock Senior Citizen’s Center, 525 Main Street, in Grand View, Idaho.  Harva’s favorite charity is the hard-working community members of the Grand View Volunteer Ambulance crew.  Please consider donating to them in her honor.

   Cremation under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.