DeLois Bernice Trovillion Wynia died Thursday, February 14, 2019, in Nampa, Idaho. She was 87. DeLois was born April 9, 1931, in Douglas County, Kansas. Her father Leonard Trovillion, a mechanic, had moved his wife Thelma Reed Trovillion and young family to the country where they could grow a garden, raise a few chickens, and gather nuts and fruit in order to survive when jobs were simply unavailable. Over the next few years they moved often in search of employment in service stations, garages, and oil fields, sometimes living with family and sometimes on their own in Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Leonard left his wife, Thelma, and daughters when DeLois was four. Leonard returned to his family for a short time, taking them to the Texas oil fields and then back to Colorado and Wyoming, but abandoned them again, leaving Thelma with the three young girls and only sporadic support. Through much of childhood, DeLois lived in a multigenerational household, as all worked to help one another through the hardships of the Great Depression. DeLois was often ill and missed a good deal of school--including almost all of second grade, due to tuberculosis. In 1946, the family moved from Colorado to Nampa, Idaho, so the girls could attend Northwest Nazarene Academy, a Christian high school associated with Northwest Nazarene College. They rented an apartment close to campus and plunged into school and church life. DeLois and Nadine topped corn in summer to earn money for school. DeLois also picked peas and fruit, topped onions, and worked in the packing sheds sorting potatoes. As a sophomore, DeLois began working on the school yearbook, The Oasis, an activity she continued into her college years. During her senior year of high school, she spent more time working in the office and as a teaching assistant than as a student. After graduation in 1949, she enrolled at NNC. She worked in the registrar's office and continued with the yearbook. While most of DeLois' social life revolved around college activities, she also enjoyed roller skating, and it was at the Nampa Rollerdrome that she met and fell for Paul Wynia. The two married May 2, 1952, and set off on a life together that would continue for more than 64 years. For a time Paul's work as a lineman had him on the road (sometimes where there were no roads), so they bought a trailer so DeLois could be with him. A travel log from those days showed that in three years, they moved more than 40 times across seven states. Once they even lived briefly in a specially outfitted boxcar, an adventure that included unannounced moves by the train that snapped clotheslines and dragged clean laundry through the dirt. But whatever the difficulties, Paul and DeLois faced them together. They continued as nomads for a while after Debra was born. Then Paul got on with Idaho Power and worked a 10-days-gone-four-days-home schedule, and DeLois moved into an apartment. In hopes of spending more time together and being their own bosses, in 1957 Paul and DeLois put down a payment on 40 acres near Melba and soon added a small herd of dairy cows. What a change this was for DeLois! With Steven still an infant and Debra just four, DeLois, who had lived nearly all her life in town, suddenly had a farm and livestock to manage while Paul kept working for Idaho Power to pay the bills. To say she was out of her comfort zone would be gross understatement. But she worked hard and learned a great deal. Eventually Paul was able to quit the job that kept him away so much, but the work never decreased. DeLois put her heart into the family farm. She didn't ever love milking cows, clearing fields of rock, or irrigating. Watching her try to set siphon tubes greatly amused the rest of the family, but she was dedicated to the farm's success. Daughter Karen was born, then Baby Donnie came too soon and was laid to rest in the Melba Cemetery. Two years later Joyce's arrival completed the family. Raising babies and chickens, growing gardens and preserving the produce filled long days. In addition, she sewed nearly all the children's clothing, sometime using the bright, colorful print fabric the chicken feed sacks were made from. DeLois found companionship in monthly meetings with the women of the Melmont Community Club, joining in service projects. The year DeLois baked and decorated a six-layer, heart-shaped cake stands in memory. The cake was actioned, donated back, and auctioned twice more, raising $270 (that's equal to more than $2,000 today). It ended up as a centerpiece at Idaho's American Heart Association ball. She and the rest of the family became active in church. She particularly enjoyed preparing lessons for the college/young adult class she taught, and spent hours poring over scripture and commentaries. She loved creating object lessons for children also, using butterflies or potatoes or paper cutout to make the stories and their messages memorable. Farm work took a physical toll on DeLois. After a back injury and surgery, she decided to contribute by working in an office. She took a position as a medical receptionist at Mangum Clinic. A few years later she returned to NNC to finish her degree, graduating in 1971. She considered a teaching job, but Paul preferred that she be available at home, so she substituted some but didn't sign a contract. As the farm prospered, Paul and DeLois looked at other opportunities. They travelled in advance of an evangelical crusade, finding venues and connecting with pastors and churches to build awareness. DeLois taught training sessions for lay counselors. The experience and the contacts led them to take a leap in a new direction. Paul had always enjoyed singing gospel music, and DeLois was an excellent organizer and speaker. Together they began a ministry in small churches, first close to home and soon after in neighboring states. For 22 years, they traveled across the country, singing, talking, and making records. They spent winters in motorhome resorts in the Southwest, soaking up sun and booking concerts in churches and RV parks. They found time for other travel, visiting The Holy Land, China, and Haiti, and enjoying several cruises. DeLois often commented that she never believed she'd get to do the things she did. Looking back on her adventures, she still felt a little surprised by where life had taken her. Who could have guessed that she would take part in smuggling Bibles into China? Paul and DeLois moved to Sunny Ridge in 2014, each making the move for the benefit of the other. DeLois was preceded in death by her husband Paul Wynia; her sister Bonnie Rice; and an infant son, Donald. She is survived by a sister, Nadine Evans of Nampa; her children: Debra Mathews of Twin Falls, Steven Wynia (Karen) of Melba, Karen Giardina (Marty Kelley) of Caldwell, and Joyce Doorn (Jeff) of Whitefish, Montana; 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Bethel Church of the Nazarene with a graveside service to be conducted at the Melba Cemetery at 3:00 p.m.
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