Delma Lou Barnett

Delma Ellis Barnett passed into the arms of her Savior on December 1, 2025 at the home she was sharing with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson who were caring for her in Tennessee. 

The third of 4 children, Delma was born to Roy and Julia Ellis in Meridian, Idaho on March 19, 1932. She had an older brother Everett, older sister Betty, and younger brother Dean. She attended Cole School and then Franklin School through the tenth grade. She graduated from Boise High School in 1950, and worked for 3 years as a stenographer in the head office of First Security Bank of Idaho, in Boise. In 1953, Delma married Joe Barnett at Boise Gospel Tabernacle. They then moved to Seattle where Joe was attending the University of Washington. In Seattle, she worked for 3 years as a Stenographic Secretary in the head office at the National Bank of Commerce. 

After Joe’s graduation, the couple moved to southern California, a state Delma had always dreamed of seeing. There, she worked for Douglas Aircraft Company another three years. When their son Gary was born in 1959, Delma left the business world to be a full-time mother. Their daughter Judy was born in 1962. Delma and Joe raised their two children in Granada Hills, in Southern California. 

Delma enjoyed being active in her childrens’ school activities. She was the Head Room Mother for two years, planning all the holiday parties for her childrens’ grade school classes. For several years, she also prepared the photo-artwork setup for the childrens’ yearbook class pictures, and served as secretary of the parent-teacher fellowship. Delma and Joe enjoyed yearly trips with their children to visit family in Idaho and Washington. Being active in their church and community, Delma also made many life-long friends in California, and took many memorable vacations as a family of four. 

After nearly 35 years in California, Joe retired in 1993, and the couple moved back to Boise, Idaho. There, they built their retirement home. Their daughter Judy and her family moved to Boise a year later, and Delma & Joe loved making memories with their 5 grandchildren. Delma also enjoyed being hostess for three years in her daughter Judy’s tearoom, in downtown Boise. They also went on many international travels with their son Gary, and daughter-in-law Sheryl. Together they saw Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Continental Europe, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Greece, as well as much of the US. 

Delma and Joe were married for 67 years, and Delma loved him dearly. 

She is survived by their son, Gary and daughter-in-law Sheryl Barnett, and their daughter Judy and son-in-law Craig Nowaski, as well as 5 grandchildren: grandson Stephen Nowaski, granddaughter Linda Coile & husband Nickolas, granddaughter Jamie Wiseman and husband Alan, granddaughter Brionna Nowaski, and granddaughter Abigael Heredia, and husband Alejandro. Delma is also survived by 6 great-grandsons, and 3 great-granddaughters. Her sister Betty West, and many loving nephews and nieces also survive her. 

Delma loved the Lord, and was a loyal and loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was a member of Glad Tidings/River Valley Church in Boise for 30 years. 

Delma is interred alongside her husband at Terrace Lawn Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.