Verda Elaine Bailey Scouten born January 2, 1933, died peacefully at the home of her daughter
and son-in-law, Frances and Gaven Knighton in Moore, Idaho on July 19, 2023 at the age of 90.
Elaine was the first child born to Leland Ritchie Bailey and Verda Ella Winder in Idaho Falls,
Idaho on January 2, 1933. Four other children were born to this marriage, Leland, Jeneane,
Betty and Lela. Life hit Elaine, age seven, her mother and her four siblings hard and cruelly
when her father, age thirty-one, died in a truck-train collision. Following her father’s death
Elaine finished first grade in Ucon, Idaho. Then the family moved to a home on first street in
Idaho Falls. Elaine never really had a childhood as she cared for her siblings when her now
single mother accepted work at the sugar factory in Lincoln, Idaho. Her mother later met and
married Edward A. Paulus. To this union another sister was added to the family when Josie was
born to Verda and Ed. Later Verda and Ed moved from Idaho Falls to Carey, Idaho. While in
Carey Elaine decided to move back to Idaho Falls to continue schooling and find work. While in
Idaho Falls, she met and married Forrest Eugene Scouten. There they had four children,
Frances, Bill, Cary and Jim.
While in Idaho Falls Mom and Dad decided to move to the Lost River Valley so their family could
be raised on a farm---kids need to learn how to work kind of thing! They first moved to a farm
in Leslie, Idaho and then to Moore, Idaho. Dad worked hard, but Mom worked just as hard or
harder raising three adventurous and mischievous boys and a special daughter while Dad
worked three rotating shifts at, “The Site”, present day INL. We all pitched in raising chickens,
pigs, cattle, milking cows, irrigating, bucking hay, picking potatoes, digging post holes and all
the other hard labor that came with a 50’s and 60’s farm life. Mom pitched in wherever and
however, she was needed, but remember Mom got a very early start ramrodding a crew of
siblings so she had no problem directing the labor of three boys while teaching and guiding her
only daughter the invaluable skills of homemaking.
Mom loved the outdoors, especially fishing with her mother and her boys whenever time
allowed. Some of her favorite fishing holes were on the Lost River at the old Gerald Twitchell
farm in Leslie, Antelope Creek, Pass Creek, North Fork of the Lost River and occasionally at the
Mackay Reservoir. She enjoyed embroidery, maintaining a beautiful yard, reading, and
cheering on her children and grandchildren in all their activities. Mom was always very positive
with a happy disposition, unless one messed with her kids—then she was a bear.
Mom served her community and her church with loyalty, integrity, and dedication. Her early life
experiences gave her a keen awareness and empathy for those in need. As a result, she was
especially kind and giving to the “one”, the one who was downtrodden or just needed a helping
hand.
She is survived by brother Leland, sisters Betty and Josie. Children Frances, Bill, and Jim.
Nineteen grandchildren, fifty-three great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Forrest, son Cary, two grandsons Bill (Brandon) and
Mark Scouten and one great grandson Malcolm Knighton.

As per Elaine's wishes, a private family graveside service will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023. A public viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 2555 N. Highway 93, Arco, ID. All are welcome to come honor this amazing lady's life. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco, Idaho.

As per Elaine’s wishes, a private family graveside service will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023. A public viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 2555 N. Highway 93, Arco, ID. All are welcome to come honor this amazing lady’s life. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Arco, Idaho.