Fern Kieffer

Fern Anita Kieffer, 84, of Mountain Home, died Dec. 18, 2008.

A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 22, at the First Congregational Church in Mountain Home. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Fern was born Fern Anita Robbins on Oct. 17, 1924, to Henry and Lela Robbins in Kuna, Idaho.

Fern married John D. Kieffer on April 16, 1944. After a few years into their marriage, and three children later, they moved to Portland, Ore., so John could attend Chiropractic College. Upon completion of John's education, they returned to Idaho to set up a chiropractic clinic in Gooding, and in 1958 relocated to Mountain Home where they worked and built their business.

Upon retirement, they settled in their dream home in Hagerman, where they spent "many special years together," her family said, adding, "she was an inspiration to many. She served in countless capacities. As a young girl she was her father's right-hand man. He affectionately referred to her as 'Henrietta.' She worked with him on the farm and in the feed store. She often talked of her childhood growing up in Kuna, Mora, Long Valley and Payette. She truly was an 'Idaho girl' through and through."

As a young woman, she worked as a waitress, store clerk and bookkeeper, showing a relentless focus on detail.

"After marrying dad, she gave birth to seven children," her family noted. "As she cared for her family she continued to be very active in the day-to-day operations of the family business. Her last involvement in the business was just two weeks ago. She lived a very proud and natural lifestyle.

"Her interests were varied and many, but most had to do with giving and sustaining quality life. This was apparent in the beautiful vegetable and flower gardens that she grew and cared for. One of her favorite places to be was in her greenhouse."

She also loved the beauty of the outdoors, her family said. "It made no difference whether it be the mountains or the desert. She loved to get in the car and drive. She was always up for a trip or an adventure. She rarely missed doing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper. She was an avid reader and was virtually unbeatable as a Scrabble player. That was her game and she was very good at it. She was a skilled seamstress and over the years created many clothes and other projects for her family and friends.

"As a mother her sacrifices for her family were limitless," her family added. "She was the most caring and compassionate mother that a child could have. She taught us much by examples that she made. With seven children and working outside the home, she always managed to cook good healthy meals three times a day. She never missed a parent/teacher conference and was always available to help with homework or school projects. Her answers and questions were matter of fact and always offered understanding and clarity.

"Birthdays were always made special whether at home or away.

"She taught all of her children to be honest, live with integrity and a good work ethic. And also how to have fun and enjoy life. She always made Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and other holidays a special time filled with tradition.

"Her love of family and her quiet words of wisdom were truly a blessing," her family said.

"The last greatest gift she gave her children while living was showing us how to die with the utmost dignity and peace. Her memory and legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."

Fern is survived by: five children, Janet (Bill) Renfrew of Fairbanks, Alaska, John F. (Donna) Kieffer of Mountain Home, Judy (John) Unruh of Manhattan, Kan., Jerry (Jeannie) Kieffer of Toledo, Ore., and Jeffrey Kieffer of Boise; a sister, Iris Peterson, of Emmett; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John, two daughters, Joan and Jean, a granddaughter, Shelly, and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.

Fern Anita Kieffer, 84, of Mountain Home, died Dec. 18, 2008.

A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 22, at the First Congregational Church in Mountain Home. Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Fern was born Fern Anita Robbins on Oct. 17, 1924, to Henry and Lela Robbins in Kuna, Idaho.

Fern married John D. Kieffer on April 16, 1944. After a few years into their marriage, and three children later, they moved to Portland, Ore., so John could attend Chiropractic College. Upon completion of John's education, they returned to Idaho to set up a chiropractic clinic in Gooding, and in 1958 relocated to Mountain Home where they worked and built their business.

Upon retirement, they settled in their dream home in Hagerman, where they spent "many special years together," her family said, adding, "she was an inspiration to many. She served in countless capacities. As a young girl she was her father's right-hand man. He affectionately referred to her as 'Henrietta.' She worked with him on the farm and in the feed store. She often talked of her childhood growing up in Kuna, Mora, Long Valley and Payette. She truly was an 'Idaho girl' through and through."

As a young woman, she worked as a waitress, store clerk and bookkeeper, showing a relentless focus on detail.

"After marrying dad, she gave birth to seven children," her family noted. "As she cared for her family she continued to be very active in the day-to-day operations of the family business. Her last involvement in the business was just two weeks ago. She lived a very proud and natural lifestyle.

"Her interests were varied and many, but most had to do with giving and sustaining quality life. This was apparent in the beautiful vegetable and flower gardens that she grew and cared for. One of her favorite places to be was in her greenhouse."

She also loved the beauty of the outdoors, her family said. "It made no difference whether it be the mountains or the desert. She loved to get in the car and drive. She was always up for a trip or an adventure. She rarely missed doing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper. She was an avid reader and was virtually unbeatable as a Scrabble player. That was her game and she was very good at it. She was a skilled seamstress and over the years created many clothes and other projects for her family and friends.

"As a mother her sacrifices for her family were limitless," her family added. "She was the most caring and compassionate mother that a child could have. She taught us much by examples that she made. With seven children and working outside the home, she always managed to cook good healthy meals three times a day. She never missed a parent/teacher conference and was always available to help with homework or school projects. Her answers and questions were matter of fact and always offered understanding and clarity.

"Birthdays were always made special whether at home or away.

"She taught all of her children to be honest, live with integrity and a good work ethic. And also how to have fun and enjoy life. She always made Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and other holidays a special time filled with tradition.

"Her love of family and her quiet words of wisdom were truly a blessing," her family said.

"The last greatest gift she gave her children while living was showing us how to die with the utmost dignity and peace. Her memory and legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."

Fern is survived by: five children, Janet (Bill) Renfrew of Fairbanks, Alaska, John F. (Donna) Kieffer of Mountain Home, Judy (John) Unruh of Manhattan, Kan., Jerry (Jeannie) Kieffer of Toledo, Ore., and Jeffrey Kieffer of Boise; a sister, Iris Peterson, of Emmett; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John, two daughters, Joan and Jean, a granddaughter, Shelly, and two sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity.