Jo Woodward Bidart was born on June 24, 1943, in Winnemucca, Nevada to Adelle Scott Woodward and Harold Woodward.
She was supposed to be a boy, thus, her given name was Arthuretta.
She did not use it often and many did not realize that was her legal name.
Those that did, enjoyed teasing her a little bit (maybe a lot) about it which she took in good humor.
She grew up on Woodward Ranch and attended school through the 8th grade in a one room school house switching between Leonard Creek and Woodward Ranch. She developed many special lifelong friendships/family relationships through this experience.
She then attended high school in Winnemucca in the old high school which is now the junior high school. She had an incredible class filled with many special classmates that she has remained lifelong friends with.
She lived with Uncle Ray and Aunt Alda Woodward while attending school and formed a sister/ brother relationship with her cousin, Dennis, through this arrangement. She was blessed to also have her Mother’s family in Winnemucca and was watched over by Felix and Irene Scott and Dugan and Josie Twichell.
After high school graduation she jumped right in to the work force. She was blessed to work with Mickey Richards in his office and also started working in banking.
The love of ranching was in her blood. In 1963, she chased her cowboy, Frank Bidart, all the way to Soda Springs, Idaho, where they were married on May 29th, 1963. Frank and Jo managed the Budge Ranch for the Bidart/Montero family corporation while in Soda Springs.
They made some amazing friendships and enjoyed a little bit of paradise while there. They also learned to withstand some extreme winters. It was a challenge feeding cattle in those conditions.
They welcomed their children, Frank, Andree and Robert while in Soda Springs and introduced them to the ranching lifestyle with Frank taking care of outside chores and Jo taking care of feeding the hired men. All the while, the kids followed along which created an appreciation of an amazing way of life.
In 1971, the family decided to sell the ranch and Frank and Jo moved to Weiser, Idaho to work for Howard Raney.
Again, in Weiser, Idaho, some amazing friendships were gained even though it was 2 short years. Frank and Jo decided to move back home to Winnemucca in 1973 to make Winnemucca their lifelong home.
Jo worked in banking again, helped at Scott Shady Court when available and when needed, later with the Railroad and finally with Nevada State Welfare.
In all of her jobs, she gave the best of herself and gained some amazing friendships and fulfillment. Her job with welfare was very challenging due to her client circumstances.
She chose to go above and beyond and worked hard and gave of herself to help her clients make life changes for their own betterment.
She retired in 2003 and devoted her time to fishing, travelling the backroads of Northern Nevada, spending time with family and friends, continuing to make her children and grandchildren her priority by attending any and every event of theirs.
She has been a member of Euskaldunak Danak Bat, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, a passionate member of St. Paul’s Altar Society, and in recent years a passionate volunteer for the Senior Center here in Winnemucca. She gave of herself by providing compassion and service where ever she could.
She is preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life, her husband, Frank Bidart of 55 years, and her grandson, Joshua Rose.
She is survived by her sisters, Haroldine (Roger) Searle of Missouri, Delia (Rob) Nuffer and Miriam (Don) Toland of Winnemucca, Nevada, her sons, Frank (Tracy) Bidart, Robert (Kelly) Bidart, daughter Andree (Carl) Rose, grandchildren Dylan and Ali Miller, Vinnie and Marissa Depaoli, Angelo Bidart and Elise Rose, great granddaughter, Brooklyn Depaoli, many adopted sons and daughters that are too numerous to list but know who they are, numerous nieces and nephews that she holds dear and numerous Scott, Woodward, Bidart, Montero, Larragueta, Rauscher, Etchart, Etchegoyen, Urrutia and Esparza cousins.
We want to provide a huge thanks to Sonoma Funeral Home, Humboldt Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Dr. Dana Marks, Echo Mathews, Jessica Grannis and everyone at Humboldt General Hospital for taking such great care of our Mom and her family in her last hours.
Services will be held Friday, July 12th, at 11:00 am at the Boys and Girls Club, 1973 Whitworth Way, Winnemucca Nevada. Graveside services will follow the services and a light lunch and drinks will be provided to allow everyone to continue to celebrate Jo.
Please bring a recipe, anecdote for life, or remedy that reminds you of or was shared with you by Frank or Jo. You may also mail them to Andree at the address below. All of them will be compiled and shared at a later date.
In lieu of flowers or food, the family has requested donations be made to Lowry High School for the Joshua Rose Memorial Scholarship, Acct 551, c/o Andree Rose, 3289 Great Basin Avenue, Winnemucca, Nevada 89445.
