Lola Hillam Packer, of Rexburg, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2016, of causes incident to age. She was born January 18, 1929, in Marysville, Idaho, the daughter of George Marvin Hillam and Laura May Lemmon. The pattern for her life of devotion, family, work and service was shaped by growing up on the farm east of Ashton. She moved to Rexburg as a teenager to live with her sisters who were attending Ricks College. While attending Madison High School, she met and fell in love with Alden Packer and they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple, November 5, 1948. Soon after their marriage Alden left on a mission to the North Central States. She was able to join him for the last six months of his mission and they worked hard as missionary companions. Following their mission Alden enrolled at the University of Utah, completing medical school in 1956.

During their life together they lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; San Pedro, California; Cambridge, England; Idaho Falls, Hailey and Rexburg, Idaho. Along the way they served faithfully in the Church, raised seven children and enjoyed the communities in which they lived. Alden passed away June 26, 1987. Following Alden's death Lola stayed active. She continued Church service, which included positions in both home and campus wards and stakes. For many years she worked an early morning shift as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple. She was a very involved advisor to Lamba Delta Sigma sorority at Ricks College, and was awarded the Elect Lady of the Year award in recognition of her service. She served an eighteen-month Family History mission in Salt Lake City. In 2000 she was surprised and honored to receive the Exemplary Woman award from Ricks College.

Lola was devoted to her family. She was always thrilled by the birth of grandchildren and great grandchildren, traveling to be near them and lending a hand. Even as her physical abilities diminished, she crowed when she saw pictures of newly arrived great grandchildren on her Ipad.

In 2000 she married P. Merrill Packer, Alden's brother. They had much in common and Lola enjoyed having a companion again. He passed away in 2008. Lola especially appreciated the relationship Merrill had with his children, and was thankful for the kindness they have shown her.

She lived in the home she and Alden built in 1982 on the corner of Mill Hollow and Rolling Hills Drives in Rexburg. She was cared for in her home first by Emily and David Rowe and then by Pat and Phil Packer. In 2013 she moved to the Homestead Assisted Living, where she enjoyed making new friends.

She is survived by her children, Philip (Pat) Packer, Emily (David) Rowe, Joseph (Valerie) Packer, Laura (Farrell) Newland, Ellen ( Michael) Snyder, Matthew (Julie) Packer, and Michael (Shannon) Packer; 40 grandchildren and 72 great grandchildren. She is also survived by sister, Nina Myers, Grace Murdock and Vonda Bjorn, as well as a brother, Rulon Hillam.

Lola was preceded in death by her husbands, Alden M Packer and P. Merrill Packer, her parents, her sisters, Margaret and Bernice, and a younger brother, Marvin, who died near birth.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016 at the Rexburg East Stake Center. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home and again on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the LDS Church Humanitarian Aid Fund.