Ferne Louise Roberts Obituary (1919 - 2019)

Ferne Louise (Adams) Roberts passed to her eternal reward from her daughter's home in Nampa, Idaho in the early morning hours of July 29, 2019. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a party complete with 100 roses - her favorite flower. Most of her family members were able to attend this milestone event and all enjoyed an outpouring of love from her, making memories they will always treasure. Ferne was born July 9, 1919 in Boise, Idaho to Noah Elmer and Ida Faye Matlock Adams. She had one brother Elden C. Adams who was two years younger than her. He preceded her in death in 2008. Ferne and Elden grew up on the family farm which was located 1/2 mile east of Meridian Road on the north side of McMillan. They attended the rural Blue Valley Elementary School which was 1/2 mile west and one mile north of their home. They walked to and from school except in extremely cold weather when, if the car would start, they got a ride! Ferne graduated from Meridian High School in 1937 as the salutatorian of her class. Church and music were important parts of her life. Her parents were charter members of the Meridian Church of the Nazarene. She said, "I always went to church." If the church doors were open, she was there. Staying home was not an option. When she was about 10 years old she took piano lessons from a teacher that came to their house. Amazingly, her parents were able to buy her a brand new piano during the depression! She started playing for Sunday school in her teens and said, "That's the way I really learned to play." She was a faithful church pianist for more than 50 years. After high school she attended Boise Business University for a few months and learned business machines and shorthand. She went to work for Idaho Power, working in Parma, Glenns Ferry and Mountain Home. She rode the train from Meridian to these locations until she was transferred to the Boise headquarters office. Ferne met her future husband George at church. His family moved from Iowa and settled in Meridian. In her words, "he was the new guy in town and we just 'clicked.'" However, she was 14 and he was 19. They did not date until she was 19. She liked all the boys in high school, but because George had a good Christian background, she was especially attracted to him. After they had dated for a couple of years, he proposed. They were married on August 29, 1940, on the lawn at the family farm. Because the Idaho Power Company policy at that time did not allow married women in its employ, she had to quit working for them! When George and Ferne married he worked at Campbell Implement Company in Caldwell and later at International Harvester in Boise as a diesel mechanic. In a few years he became co-owner with his brother and mother of the Stockmen's Milling Company in Meridian. When George answered God's call to preach they sold the mill, and George attended Northwest Nazarene College. He was ordained as a minister of the Church of the Nazarene in 1952. From then on their passion was ministry. They pastored Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in Boise, the Central Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the Fredrick Church of the Nazarene in Fredrick, Oklahoma. They served for thirty years as pastor of the First Bible Missionary Church in Boise. After retirement they served briefly as pastor of the Second Bible Missionary Church in Boise. Ferne graciously prepared meals and entertained hundreds or even thousands of guests. When George founded Boise Christian School in 1963, Ferne taught high school business classes. She also served many years as a volunteer in various ways. After their children were grown, they usually had someone "under their wing" living in their home. George preceded her in death in August 1995. Ferne loved flowers and spent many hours tending her beautiful yard and garden. By the way she also loved dark chocolate and Larry loved to spoil her with a box of chocolates from Lee's Candy. One of the hardest things she had to endure during her life was the loss of her mother in a tragic car accident when Ferne was only 33 years old. In spite of this difficulty Ferne always saw the positive side of every situation and loved everyone who became an acquaintance. In October 2014 Ferne was shopping for flowers for her yard when she fell and broke her hip. Of course, this changed her life, but she beat the odds and endeared herself to us for another 4-1/2 years. She was able to continue living in her own home with the assistance of her "Angel" caregiver Michelle Stadick Desaulniers and her faithful children until July 2018, when she moved to Nampa, Idaho to be cared for by her loving daughter and son-in-law Jolene and Marvin. Ferne was not an animal lover until she went to live with Jolene and Marvin, but their little schnauzer Maple wiggled her way into Ferne's heart. Maple spent many hours lying on her chair or her bed. Maple may have gained a pound or two this past year because Ferne liked to give her the ice cream bowls to lick. Not being able to go every time there was an activity that interested her was difficult for Ferne. As she became more immobile, her iPad was one of her favorite pals. She loved getting texts, videos and pictures from her family and friends, and FaceTime became her connection to Vicki who was living in Wyoming. Truly for most of us, it is hard to imagine the change that she experienced during her lifetime! Words are inadequate to express the appreciation the family has for Jolene and Marvin. Their commitment and the loving, tender care mom has received in their home was invaluable. Special thanks also goes to Abode Hospice of Boise, Idaho, Terri Flannery, RN and caregivers Julie Ann Parker, Arlene Yoder, Brenda Johnson and Kimberly Bullen. Ferne's nurse said, "She has pride of elegance, loveliness and grace." Heaven has gained a rare jewel! Even though we are left with a "hole in our hearts," we rejoice to know she is playing the piano in Heaven. What a great reunion she must be having!! She is survived by her five children: Bev O'Malley Goebel (Dave), Larry Roberts (Barbara), Cheryl Reynolds (Don), Jolene Johnston (Marvin), and Vicki Tweedy Purdum (Dave); 11 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. She loved all of them dearly!! Ferne loved to send birthday cards to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and did so faithfully until May of 2019. She always included a $2 bill in their card until they turned 18. No doubt her family was her most prized possession. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 4141, Boise, ID 83711 or online at www.gideons.org. A Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2019 at Grace Bible Church, 1415 Lone Star Rd in Nampa, with a graveside service to follow at Meridian Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 1, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N. Midland Blvd in Nampa. (208-467-7300)