Fern Lucille Allen

KIMBERLY | Fern L. Allen, 91, of Kimberly, Idaho passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016 in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Fern was born December 4, 1924, in Gooding, Idaho to Harold and Thelma Shaw. Fern graduated from Gooding High School in 1943. She married Orval Allen on January 6, 1944 and made their home in Kimberly.

Fern and Orval raised their family on the farm where she developed lifetime friends in the farming community. She raised beautiful gardens and spent many hours canning. Fern prepared numerous wonderful meals for the family and always had enough food to include family and friends that stopped by.

Fern was a beautiful seamstress and made many school clothes for her daughters. In later years Fern worked outside the home as a bookkeeper, with many of those years working with "the girls" now at Canyon Floral. Fern worked until she was 84 because she loved the social part of her job, and they treated her like family.

Mom set the standard very high in our family for retirement age.

Fern's Gooding High School Class of 1943 enjoyed their reunions and after their 50th reunion, they decided to meet more frequently. Fern was an active organizer of those annual gatherings.

Fern had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed a good giggle.

Fern also sold Mary Kay for over 30 years and developed many friendships who she continued to meet for lunch on a monthly schedule. Fern was so appreciative of her recent surprise birthday lunch in December with the Mary Kay ladies.

Fern enjoyed her friendships at the Kimberly Senior Center and continued to join them for lunch on Fridays. In 2014 her family organized a 90th birthday party at the Senior Center. She didn't want "a big event", but was thrilled that so many friends and family attended.

Fern was surprised and honored to be named Kimberly Pioneer Neighbor of the Year in 2015. She had so much fun riding in the convertible with her parasol during the Kimberly Good Neighbors Day Parade.

Fern was always ready to travel with her family. She had the opportunity to travel several times to Germany and Hawaii. She joined the family on an Alaskan cruise and trips to Florida, Tennessee, and New York City. She made multiple trips to California and Washington for family celebrations. Mom especially loved the family get together's in McCall and spending time on the deck.

Surviving are her children Shirley (Pete) Brandl of Yorba Linda, California, Richard (Sharon) Allen of Scottsdale, Arizona, Linda (Joe) Weeks of Kuna, Idaho and Debbie (Ed) Poppleton of Meridian, Idaho. Five Granddaughters Heidi, Jami, Mandy, Ami and Sara. Eight Great-grandchildren Jackson, Casey, Sawyer, Caitlin, Benjamin, Matthew, Jarrod and Amanda.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Donald, and 2 grandsons, Kurt Todd and Peter Eric.

Services will be held at White Mortuary, 136 4th Avenue East, Twin Falls on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 11am with a viewing for family and friends at 10:30. Graveside services at Sunset Memorial Park followed by lunch at the Kimberly Christian Church at 307 Madison St. E in Kimberly.

The family suggests memorials be given to the Kimberly Senior Center, P.O.Box 403, Kimberly, ID 83341.

The family would like to give special thanks to Carlene and Rita for their many hours of care and to the staff of Cenoma House.