Dove Chandler Fife Obituary (1921

Dove Chandler was born February 28, 1921, in the small community of Ririe, Idaho to William James and Mary Nancy Call Chandler. In the family of 12 children, she had 6 older siblings, Leah, Helen, Verna, Wilson, Lura, Sam and 5 younger ones, J, Homer, Mildred, Maxce and Lewis. Lura passed away at the age of 16 after an attack of appendicitis and Lewis lived only 2 months. Dove was blessed with the gift of song and began singing for others at the age of 4. Music played a very important part in her life, even right to the very end. During her last days, she seemed to be comforted by the singing of her children and grandchildren at her bedside. She would sometimes become alert enough to join them in a phrase or two. She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1939, then began nurses training at LDS Hospital School of Nursing graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1942. Coming from a very patriotic family, she joined the Army/Air Force Nurses Corps in August,1943, joining three of her brothers who had already enlisted in the war effort. She was stationed in Fairmont, Nebraska, at the Army/Air Base after basic training at Fort George Wright, near Spokane, Washington. During a requested leave, she married her sweetheart, Leland Fife, in the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City, March 3, 1944, spending just three days together before he had to return to San Diego to resume his tour of duty on the SS Nehenta Bay, a Navy aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The next 21 months of their marriage, they saw each other for a total of 30 days, only when they were able to get leave from their wartime duties. They were rejoined permanently on Christmas Day, 1945. Married life began for them farming in eastern Idaho, first in Ammon with Leland's father and then in Roberts, near Idaho Falls. Dove spent her life serving, teaching and raising her seven children, Sheila Dove, Errol Chandler, Ramona, Nancy Jeanne, Craig Lewis, Rebecca Joy, and Maureen (who died as an infant) all of whom were born while living in Roberts. In 1957, the family moved to Boise where Leland took a job with the Department of Agriculture. Leland Kent was born after the move to Boise. She was able to stay home with them, consistently serving nutritious meals, driving them to music lessons, dance lessons, and sports activities. She made especially wonderful bread and canned many 2-quart jars of fruits and vegetables for her large family. In 1968, the family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho and then took on a very arduous experience moving to a ranch 60 miles from Battle Mountain, Nevada, in 1973, returning to Treasure Valley to retire in Nampa in 1978, enjoying the benefits and wonderful activities of their retirement. She served faithfully in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at various times as president of the Primary and Relief Society, chorister for various meetings, choir director and teacher in each organization. She was always very dedicated and committed in her church service. In their later years, she and Leland served a mission together in the Rochester, New York mission and then as temple workers in the Boise Idaho Temple. She taught her children by example and precept to be the best they could be and to develop their talents to serve others. They were blessed by her love of music. Many life lessons were taught through the words of the songs that she sang in her home. She could remember the words for any song she ever sang, even into the last years of her life. She has been a wonderful, loving grandmother to 28 grandchildren who remember many special family gatherings at their grandparents' home in Nampa. Beginning in 1995 great-grandchildren began entering the scene. At the time of her death, there are 53 with two more expected this year. Since 2004, she and Leland have lived in Boise to be nearer their children who have assisted them in their aging years. In 2010, they moved into the new Spring Creek Assisted Living where their needs were additionally met by the caring staff there. Leland passed away there in November of 2010 and Dove has continued to reside in their care until her passing Saturday, February 28, 2015. She was tenderly cared for by United Hospice, particularly Wendy and Nancy, during the last 10 weeks. Her family is so appreciative of their care. On her 94th birthday, February 28, six of her children spent the day with her and were at her side as she took her last breath. Craig who is in Portland area sent her flowers and a card for her birthday. They were delivered and the card read just 15 minutes before that last breath. Her children believe she was waiting for all of them to be there, either physically or in spirit, before she could enter the arms of her Savior and be with those who have prepared the way on the other side. She is dancing, singing and rejoicing with her sweetheart and the many family members and friends who have gone before. She is survived by her children: Sheila and Eugene Larson of Nampa, Errol and Terese Fife of Boise, Ramona and Gene Huffaker of Meridian, Nancy and Stephen Hunt of Boise, Craig Fife of Milwaukee, OR., Rebecca and Kendal Eyre of Boise and Kent and Michele Fife of Fruitland, ID; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her brother, Homer and his wife Helen Chandler of Midvale, UT; sister-in-law Ruth Chandler of Daly City, CA; brother-in-law, Dean Austin of Salt Lake City, UT and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. with a 9:30 a.m. viewing in the LDS Chapel at 6575 South Eagle Road, Meridian, ID. There will be a graveside service at the Veteran's Cemetery in Boise at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations may be made to Lifestyle Hospice Foundation @ lifestylehospicefoundation.com Service: Friday, March 6, 2015 11:00 a.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 6575 South Eagle Road Meridian, Idaho Visitation: Friday, March 6, 2015 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Prior to the services