Fern R Everett

Fern Richens Everett (84) died on January 8, 2023, in Grand Junction after a long illness. Fern was born on March 31, 1938, in Vernal, Utah to Orson Lynn Richens and Nellie Elnora Starkie. She joined four older brothers. Fern idealized her brothers, and they adored her right back. This loving bond continued throughout her life.

Her father owned a large farm and even with four boys there was a lot of work to do. One of her first jobs was to ride horseback out to take water to her dad and brothers. She loved the farm, it is where she discovered how much she loved animals, growing things, and being outside. One of her first pets was a big white duck. The things she learned on her father’s farm served her well though out her life and she shared them later with her husband as they worked alongside each other. They shared a mutual love for horses and dogs.

When Fern stretched to her full height, she barely reached four, eleven but when William Shakespeare wrote, “Though she be little, she is fierce.” There is no doubt, he could have been describing Fern. She was tough and she was strong. When something needed to be done, she did it, no matter what it took. Fern had a lot of trials and afflictions though out her life. The first one came when she was very young. She got a bad infection in her leg and a significant part of the bone had to be removed, leaving the bone exposed and a large scar for the rest of her life. Her life was preserved because of the many prayers in her behalf and the tender care of her family. She remembered her brothers pulling her in the wagon and her mother carrying her until she was able to walk again.

She was the typical teenager of the 1950’s. She worked at the drugstore. Fern was very social and especially enjoyed working behind the soda counter. She belonged to the pep club and played the drums in the marching band. The drum was almost as big as she was. Later she worked as a telephone operator alongside other young women connecting calls on large switch board.

While attending BYU she met her sweetheart, Charles (Jinx) Everett, a handsome athlete from Farmington, New Mexico. They were married on August 20, 1957, in the Salt Lake Temple, and they began their great adventure together. An old phrase that appears to be true goes like this: “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman”. Fern should be recognized for her support and the sacrifices she made that allowed Jinx to serve in the community and have a successful career. While he was finishing his education and starting his career, they lived all over the United States. She gave birth to three children in three different states. Throughout their lives they lived in at least 16 different places. Fern was good at holding “down the fort and keeping the home fire burning” while Jinx was working and serving. They loved spending time at the cabin together, taking 4-wheeler trips, dancing, picnics and being with their friends.

Fern was also good at supporting her children in whatever they wanted to do. You could probably count on one hand the number of concerts, track meets, games, and wrestling matches that she missed. She was always there to support and spent endless hours driving kids around. She loved her grandchildren and her great grand children the most. She loved spending time with them, and they were always her favorite topic of conversation.

Fern loved the mountains and the great outdoors. She loved going places and doing things with her friends. She loved music, especially the piano. She had a lovely singing voice and was often asked to sing at funerals and special programs. She loved to garden, especially growing flowers, trees and raspberries. Fern loved family history and volunteered at the Family history library for many years. She enjoyed being involved in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and had many friends there. Fern was a talented seamstress. She made and sold custom leather jackets and hunting shirts. She also worked for at an upholstery shop.

Fern was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served as the Primary President and the Relief Society President. She did a lot of compassionate service and was quick to help others in need. For years, she made baskets of Christmas goodies, coaxed her family into the car on Christmas afternoon, and visited the widowers in Loma.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles (Jinx), her daughter Sheralyn, and three brothers Hugh, Glen and Lorn Richens. She is survived by her brother Dan, son Reggie (Sandy) of Trapper Creek, Alaska, daughter Shelly (Vern) Howell of Fruita, Five grandchildren Samantha Everett of Fort Wright, Kentucky, Mackenzie Everett (Tyler) of Pasadena, Texas, Trent (Janae) Howell of Grand Junction, Charley (Valerie) Howell of Fruita, Brandon (Melanie) Howell of Falcon, Colorado and eight great grandchildren Benita, Alex, Paityn, Everett, Hunter, Easton, Morgan, and Hadley.

Services will be Saturday, January 14, at 10;00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1542 G Road, Grand Junction, Co 81505. Internment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita.