Fourth-generation native of Blaine County
By Hayden Seder
The Blaine County Historical Museum Heritage Court is a time-honored tradition in which four women from each part of the Valley over the age of 70 who have lived in Blaine County for 30 years or more are selected for their significant contribution to the local history and culture over the years.
One of this year’s honorees is Verla Goitiandia, a fourth-generation native of Blaine County whose six grandchildren are now sixth generation. Most of Verla’s life has been spent in agriculture and working with children, starting from the time she spent growing up on the Susie Q Ranch east of Picabo.
“My great-grandparents came because there was farmland to be had in Blaine County,” Goitiandia said. “Everything’s been farming on both sides of my family—my father’s and my mother’s side.”
As one of 11 kids, growing up on a ranch with so many other children meant there was always a friend around.
“My brother always put it this way,” Goitiandia said. “When you have a big family of 11, you don’t need friends because there are so many in the family.”
Goitiandia remembers those days of living surrounded by farms owned by family members as simpler, more relaxed times when kids’ problems were resolved by a chat with the sheriff and the school buses were a form of public transportation that carried adults and groceries on their routes.
After high school, Goitiandia attended the University of Idaho in Moscow for two years before returning to Blaine County and working for Sun Valley Company, briefly. She then spent 20 years managing the kitchen at Hemingway School while also volunteering in the winters with the children in the ski program at Dollar. Then, it was while raising her three sons that she got involved with 4-H, where she led groups in cooking, sewing, gardening, and later, archery.
“When I grew up, I was in 4-H, and when my kids got to that age, I put them in it,” Goitiandia said. “I think it’s the way I grew up; when you’re from a large family, you do it.”
Goitiandia now has six grandchildren—five granddaughters and one grandson—who are all Blaine County natives. Her three sons all live in Hailey. Her husband, who passed away in April of this year, was also actively involved in the community. He worked for the Christiania and Sun Valley Company the majority of his life.
Goitiandia is still involved with 4-H but is also on the board of the county historical museum and is a regular poll worker during elections. She remembers when she was a child, most people voted in the evening when the farm work was over, and everyone enjoyed the social get-togethers at the Gannett post office, which was in Mary Lilya’s house.
An invitation-only tea for former and current honorees was held on May 21 at the Ketchum Museum of History. A gala coronation will take place on June 9 at the Liberty Theatre complete with flowers, entertainment and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. The Senior Connection in Hailey will also honor past and current members of the Heritage Court at a luncheon August 8 and this year’s honorees will participate in all of the summer parades.