Eily Straiton

Beloved mother, sister, friend, Eily Straiton passed away on Tuesday morning, July 3rd after 98 meaningful and eventful years. Born in Minneapolis, Eily showed great courage as a widow in leaving a house she had lived in for over fifty years, and a city she had lived in since birth, to move to Hailey to be closer to her son Steve and daughter Deborah. She left family and friends, and ventured west and began making new friends in her neighborhood, her book club and in the floral department of Atkinsons in Hailey where she worked for ten years after a 26-year career in floral design at Bachman’s in Minneapolis. Many will remember her as the petite, bright-eyed, politically-opinionated, impeccably quaffed, dressed and accessorized matron of the floral department and the magic she could create with the simplest of arrangements.

Eily was a consummate homemaker, gardener, and collector of antiques, fine art, and a variety of objects of beauty; her home was a reflection of those passions. She was an avid reader and made weekly visits to the Hailey Library to fill her bag full of the books in which she found such comfort and escape. The daughter of a Swedish baker, Eily would decide to make a batch of cookies one morning, then bake dozens each of three or four different varieties to share with family, friends, and neighbors. Her cakes, pies, and classic Minnesota dishes were enjoyed by many. Entering her home at most any time of the day, you were met with Eily in her kitchen and the aroma of something delicious on the stove or coming out of the oven.

Her last day was spent enjoying a pedicure, walking around her daughter’s yard and admiring the flower beds, then making sure all was in order with the beautiful gardens at her place. The weather was perfect, everything was in bloom, and she couldn’t have been happier.

Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis where she will rest beside her late husband Roy. Eily is survived by her son Steve Straiton, her daughter Deborah Straiton and son-in-law Erik Larson, all of Hailey, Idaho, as well as numerous family members in Minnesota. In lieu of flowers contributions could be made to the Wood River Land Trust or the American Swedish Institute.

Visit Eily’s memorial page at www.woodriverchapel.com to leave a message of condolence, share a photo or story, and light a candle.