Edith Fern Pehrson

Edith Fern Dean Pehrson (Edie), formerly of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in Layton, Utah. 

Edith was born on January 12, 1935 to James Robert Dean and Virginia Fern Jacklin Dean in Twin Falls, Idaho. She spent most of her early years on the family farm in Wendell, Idaho. In her youth, Edith also lived in Adrian, Oregon, where she was a cheerleader, Twin Falls, Idaho and Vineyard, Utah. While in Vineyard, her family spent the winter living in a tent to save money to pay off the farm back in Wendell.  She always said how grateful she was to move back to the farmhouse that spring. She loved climbing trees, reading books and playing with cousins.

Edith graduated from Wendell High School at age 17, earning a scholarship for college.  She attended Idaho State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and graduating within three years. She made eternal friendships along the way, including her best friend, Lavonne Bartschi.  She loved being in theatrical productions, serving in and becoming president of Lambda Delta Sigma and serving in church callings. 

In 1954, Edith met Ralph Verl Pehrson on a blind date arranged by their mutual friend, Dean Crump. Ralph had just returned from Korea and had bought himself a new car. The gals were sitting in the back seat when Edie got a fun idea. She pretended to be ill and throw up, much to Ralph’s horror! Once he stopped the car and saw it was a joke, he was hooked! They married August 11, 1955, in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Their first home was a cute, basement apartment in Pocatello, Idaho. 

Edith taught school in each of the towns and cities she and Ralph lived, including Pocatello, Soda Springs, Salmon and Boise, Idaho. She and Ralph made lifelong friendships in each of these locations. She loved being a teacher. She was so blessed to remain friends with many of her students throughout her life. She also enjoyed singing, crossword puzzles, board games, theater and reading. She would always play a game with her children and grandchildren whenever they would visit.  In the evenings, Edie's favorite TV game shows were Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. During her Boise days, you could catch her reading scriptures, writing letters to missionaries, visiting with neighbors, taking in meals or reading a good book. 

She cherished the time she spent volunteering at Bown House teaching young students about the early days of education in Boise.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was of most importance to Edie. She loved her Savior and found peace and joy serving Him. She faithfully took her children to church every week. She fasted and prayed for direction in her life. She taught her children the importance of serving others by her example. It seemed she was always doing things to help others, even when it was inconvenient for her. Her church service included serving as teacher, president and counselor in many Primary, Young Women and Relief Societies.   She loved the years she was called to serve in the Boise temple.  Prior to and during this time, she and her father were found serving there as patrons at least once a week until his passing in 1991.   Her toughest yet most pinnacle point of service was serving as a missionary in Boise after Ralph passed away in 2010.  

Edith was the mother of four children, Karyn (John) Frederickson of Orem, Utah, Alan (Pamela) Pehrson of Kennewick, WA, Leanne (Christopher) Spencer of Layton, UT and Kendra (Benjamin) Simpson of Blaine, WA. She was the grandmother to 13: Adam Frederickson, Daren (Solveig) Spencer, Sarah Pehrson Janicek, Andrew “Andy” Frederickson, David (Tasha) Pehrson, Ariel Spencer Peterson, Alicia Frederickson, Emily Pehrson (Benjamin) Farmer, Chelsea Frederickson (Matthew) Bécar, Rachael Spencer, Eliza Spencer (Zachary) Evans, Bryce (Sarah) Frederickson, Natalie Spencer, Corwin Simpson, Aiden Simpson and Liam Simpson. She was known as “Great” to 11 great-grandchildren including Cash and Collins Janicek, Gretchen and Ralph Pehrson, Lucy Farmer, Lucas, Levi and Charlotte Spencer, Carter and Sloane Peterson and Grace Bécar. She was truly a grand matriarch of this family. She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Pehrson, her parents, her brother Jimmy, a granddaughter Rachael, a grandson Troy and a great-grandson Lucas.

The Pehrson children wish to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the loving care of nurses, aids and staff of Fairfield Village. Edith believed she had moved to the doorsteps of the celestial kingdom while living at Fairfield Village in Layton, Utah. Maybe she really had. 

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Bown House Museum, which is managed by the Assistance League of Boise.

Email address: assistanceleagueofboise@alboise.org
Phone (208) 377-4327

Sunday, June 16th from 7pm-9pm my family will be available for a casual meet and greet at Marriott Residence Inn 1401 S Lusk Place, just below the Boise Depot.

Funeral services for Edith Pehrson will be held on Monday, June 17th at 9am at Relyea Mortuary 318 N Latah Street Boise, ID 83706 Welcome and viewing will begin at 9am with the memorial service beginning at 9:30am. A short Interment service and grave dedication will be held 11am at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery Pavilion located at 10100 N Horseshoe Bend Rd. Boise ID 83714.