Minnie L. Wilson of Rifle died Wednesday, May 21, at the E. Dene Moore Memorial Home in Rifle where she had lived since September 1993. She was 97.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1905, in Dillon, Wyo., to Joseph Clarke and Minnie Hurlburt Clarke. She moved to Parachute with her family at the age of 1. She attended the Grand Valley (Parachute) schools and graduated from high school in 1923.

After graduating, she married Roy J. Blue and they had two children, Harry (Bus) and Louise (Sis). She and Roy were divorced while their children were still young. She then began work at the Roy Eaklin store and continued there through the children’s school years. Later she married Fred. E. Wilson in Cheyenne, Wyo., and they moved to Helper, Utah, where Fred was an engineer for the Utah Railroad. They lived there for 12 years until Fred’s retirement and returned to Grand Valley in 1958 to care for their ailing mothers.

In the following year, she was very active in the community. She was the town clerk for 12 years and ran a successful floral shop for a number of years as well. She helped form the Grand Valley Fire Department and was given the title of honorary fire department member for her help. She cared for Fred for 91 days in the Rifle hospital until his death in the early 1970s.

Other clubs and organizations she was involved in included the Ladies Auxiliary of Locomotive Firemen (past president), Jewel Chapter 77 of the OES (past matron) and the Neighbors of Woodcraft (officer). She was also a member of the Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her children, Bus and Sis.

Mrs. Wilson is survived by granddaughter and grandson-in-law Donna and Scott Lillie of Highlands Ranch and their daughters Amanda and Elizabeth; by grandsons and granddaughters-in-law Don and Mal Blue of southern California and their daughters Chardonnay and Capri; Lyle and Susan Mahaffey of Delta and their children Wyatt and Jade; Gary and Debbie Mahaffey of Rulison and their children Stacy and Justin; and by other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Grand Valley Christian Church in Parachute with Pastor Wayne Wolchek officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rifle.

Farnum Holt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.