Claudette S. Osler

Claudette was born in Boise, Idaho, to parents Paul and Opal Poncia. She joined sister JoAnn to complete the Poncia family.

She attended schools in Boise: Roosevelt Elementary, East Junior High and Boise High School. It was at Boise High where she met the love of her life, John C. Osler. They graduated in 1956 and were married on February 10, 1957. They shared over 63 years of marriage before John's passing in 2020.

In October of 1958, they welcomed son Randall to the world. In March of 1961, a second son was born, Daniel. They brought Trudi into the world in August of 1965. Heidi, the youngest, arrived in May of 1970. Their life together took them from Boise to Twin Falls, back to Boise, then Ontario, Oregon, and later Caldwell, Idaho.

Claudette worked throughout much of her life, including at the phone company in Twin Falls, as a bookkeeper at Falk’s ID department store and as a bank teller at U.S. Bank. She was also a devoted mom and homemaker for the four kids and a hard working husband.

Claudette was a devoted Christian with a love of God seldom matched, and on August 3rd He called her home. She attended Cole Community Church in Boise and First Baptist Church in Caldwell. Her family would like to give special thanks to her First Baptist church family for the many years of fellowship, friendship and care they gave Claudette.

Claudette had many hobbies. As a young mom, she attended every sporting event, concert, play and anything the kids did. She never missed anything. Whatever sport or activity her kids or grandkids participated in, Claudette was there. She spent 18 years involved with the Cole Elementary PTA and supported years of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, along with countless other school and community activities.

Whether following their own games and events or cheering for favorite teams, sports were always a source of fun, conversation and a few family rivalries. She was a loyal Boise State Bronco football fan and College of Idaho Yotes basketball fan and would happily watch just about any sport, especially the Olympics. At sporting events, she could always be heard above any crowd.

She loved the time she and John spent at Pioneerville with their kids, grandkids and their dogs. Over the years, they enjoyed good times there with cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, making a lot of great memories together.

Claudette loved animals and wildlife of all kinds and especially enjoyed watching the hummingbirds and squirrels at home and at the cabin. She adored her pets, although discipline was never really her strong suit. They were spoiled, sometimes poorly behaved and always very loved.

She loved fishing and traveling with John. During their retirement years, they traveled throughout the West in their vintage Airstream, attended Bluegrass festivals and took trips around the country to visit family and friends. And, of course, she enjoyed watching endless hours of Fox News and talking politics.

Claudette was a great friend to many and cherished the friendships she made throughout every stage of her life and brought her great joy, laughter and support. She cherished friends from childhood and high school, coworkers and neighbors, her church community, the fun group of her Purple Hat friends during retirement, and more recently, the many new friends she made at Salmon Creek Gracious Retirement.

Among those lifelong friendships, she especially treasured Sandra Wirsching, a friend since high school, and her childhood friend Judy Price, whose friendship meant so much to her over the decades and especially in these final years. She was also grateful for longtime neighbors Monty and Judy Kerstein, and for Judy’s loving friendship and incredible support since John's passing. At Salmon Creek, she formed a special friendship with Patricia. Though their time together was short, they shared a deep faith, and Patricia walked closely beside Claudette during her final months.

Claudette was preceded in death by her husband, John; parents, Paul and Opal; and her beloved sister, JoAnn Kirby.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Julie) Osler, Dan Osler, Trudi Dobson and Heidi (Michael) Reilly; grandchildren Kacey, J.P. (Megan), Andy (Kathleen), Jake (Tori), Max (Kylee), Millie (Kris), Danny (Faith), Taylor, Dylan, Caroline and Sam; and great-grandchildren Bethany, Kendra, Riley, Connor, Kellen, Cooper, Oona, Nile, Opal, Jackson and Arlo. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members.

 The family will gather to celebrate Claudette’s life with a graveside service this fall. Details will be shared at a later date.