Marjorie Grubb

Marjorie Louise (Fenstermaker) Grubb, 87, of Mountain Home, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at a local care facility.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. A gathering of family and friends followed at her daughter's home.

Marj was born on Oct. 20, 1923, in American Falls, Idaho, the second of three children born to Merle and Jessie Fenstermaker.

She was a hard-working farm girl, raised and educated in nearby Aberdeen.

As a civilian employee at Pocatello Army Airfield, she met West (By God) Virginian Don Grubb, an airman at the base. After a courtship, they married in August 1943 in American Falls. Don was deployed to Europe shortly thereafter.

After World War II, Don returned to her and an infant daughter he had yet to meet. After stops in Texas, Florida and Alaska they were assigned in 1955 to Mountain Home AFB.

She was happy to come back to Idaho so she could be closer to her family in the eastern part of the state.

After 12 years at Mountain Home AFB, and 27 years in the military, Don retired in 1967 at the rank of master sergeant with Marj proudly at his side.

Marj was a self-taught expert seamstress and took in sewing jobs of all types to help with the finances. From altering high school drill team uniforms to making dresses for wives of airmen she could do it all. Most nights she sewed until 3 a.m., all while being a great wife, a wonderful homemaker and a loving mother.

Her sewing and crocheting skills helped them put away a little money and in 1973 they began a new venture at her encouragement when they opened Don's Auto Parts. Marj loved doing the bookkeeping at the store and couldn't wait to go there every day. Don, Marj, their four children and several grandchildren have all worked at the store over the years.

Don and Marj retired from the auto parts business in 1993 and after 38 years the store is still in the family today as CarQuest Auto Parts of Mountain Home.

Sadly, Don passed away in 2009.

Marj had a passionate love for growing flowers, especially roses, and she was a fan of Boise State football.

She was a perfectionist in all aspects of her life, a curse she passed on to her children. (Thanks a lot, Mother!)

Marj is survived by her daughter, Sheila McDonald of Mountain Home, her three sons, Sterling Grubb of Mountain Home, Sidney Grubb (Betty Black) of Boise, Mark Grubb (Patty Hawley) of Mountain Home, her ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter -- all of whom will miss her very much.

Marj was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Don Grubb, her parents, her sister, brother and her son-in-law.

"What though the radiance which was once so bright

Be now forever taken from my sight,

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind..."