Lois Fern Stinnette

Oct. 11, 1914-July 26, 2004

Lois Fern Stinnette, 89, passed away peacefully July 26, 2004, at her home in Pocatello, Idaho with her daughter and granddaughter at her side.

Fern was born at the family home south of Wauneta, Oct. 11, 1914, to John J. and Mary (Donze) Kitt. She grew up on the family farm, attending Calvert Country School through eighth grade and Wauneta High School, graduating in 1933.

On Jan. 17, 1935, she married Howard E. Stinnette. They had two daughters, Wanda Ann (Wareham) and Barbara Kay (Koetter). They made their home in Wauneta where Howard owned and operated his own grocery store. In the early years, during the depression, Fern helped Howard at the store in addition to caring for her family. In 1952, Howard's business expanded and they moved to McCook. When Howard retired, they moved to Lake McConaughy, near Ogallala where they had spent many pleasant times fishing during the years.

In 1993, they moved to Pocatello, to be near their daughter, Barbara, and her family. While living in Nebraska, Howard and Fern spent their winters in the Florida Keys; after moving to Pocatello, they wintered in Palm Springs. Fern made a home for her family regardless of where she was.

Fern was first and foremost a mother and homemaker. She took a great deal of pride in her home and family, and they always came first in her life. She liked to recall how, when her girls were babies, she dressed them in white dresses and bonnets -- freshly laundered and ironed -- both girls and dresses nice and clean! To Fern, cleanliness was next to Godliness. Frugality born in the depression years continued throughout her life. In later years, she enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, taking special joy in their visits. With granddaughter, Jill, living nearby, Stanton and Nathan were frequent visitors who brightened her day -- the boys knowing Grandma Fern always had good snacks available.

In addition to her many home-making skills, Fern was talented in many other ways. She played the piano and in later years the organ. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, and in earlier years needlepoint. She also had a special touch in finishing ceramic pieces. She did much of her ceramic work at the Pocatello Senior Citizen Center. Both her home and the homes of her children and grandchildren reflect the work of her hands.

Fern was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, beginning at a very young age at Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where going to church was a highlight of the week and highly anticipated by the entire family. She played the piano for Sunday School and church, and it was also at church that she met her husband, Howard. In Wauneta, she was a member of Eastern Star and Ivy Rebekah Lodge.

Fern is survived by one daughter, Barbara Koetter and her husband, Jim, Pocatello; a son-in-law, Larry Wareham, El Cajon, Calif.; four grandchildren and their families, Marc Wareham and Chelsea, Lakeside, Calif., Dirk and Kim Koetter, Kaylee, Derek, Kendra, and Davis, Scottsdale, Ariz., Brent and Debbie Koetter, Joseph, Robyn, and Jamie, Boise, Idaho, Jill and Stan Latimer, Stanton and Nathan, Pocatello; brothers Paul (Elnora) Kitt, and Ervin (Joan) Kitt, Wauneta; two sisters-in-law, Margie (Cliff) Shackelford, Wauneta and Wilma (Leonard) Leach, Las Cruces, N.M.; one brother-in-law, Leon Stinnette, Broomfield, Colo.; and 14 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard E. Stinnette; her daughter, Wanda Ann Wareham; her parents, John J. and Mary (Donze) Kitt; two sisters, Helen Kitt and Naomi Casker; and one brother, Junior Kitt.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Downard Hansen Funeral Home, 241 N. Garfield Ave. The family will meet friends Friday evening at 7 p.m.at the funeral home. Services for Fern will be Saturday, July 31, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, Idaho.