Jannine F. Barrus

Jannine Fairchild Barrus, age 73, of Boise, Idaho, joined her loving Heavenly Father on Monday, October 26, 2020, when she passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness.

Jannine was born in Republic, Washington, on August 29, 1947, to Floyd Fairchild and LaRae Butler. The oldest of 4 sisters, Jannine grew up in Oakley, Idaho, and graduated from Moscow High School in 1966. She met her eternal companion, James Lucius Barrus, Jr., and they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 17, 1967.

Jim and Jannine settled in Moscow, Idaho, and Jannine took great joy in making their first home out of a small one-room camper trailer. She had an amazing talent for creating beautiful and loving spaces for her family out of humble circumstances. While living in Moscow, their first son and daughter were born. A daughter was born during their short time in Arizona. The family eventually settled in Boise, and two more children, a son and a daughter, and ……………………….… then their last daughter was born. Jim and Jannine did divorce, yet she was looking forward to reuniting with him eternally.

Jannine had a creative gift. Her many talents included making porcelain dolls, beautiful scrapbooks, and her children’s clothing. Some of their fondest memories include matching dresses, MC Hammer pants, polyester swimming suits, and beautiful formals. Crafting would not begin to describe her talent of making things beautiful and making beautiful things.

Anyone who knew Jannine has become familiar with her label making skills. She was the queen of organization, and it was one of her passions. If you needed to find something, it was clearly labeled. This skill was useful in her professional career as an administrative assistant for the Bureau of Reclamation in the Boise and Oakley, Idaho, offices. More recently, her career focused on her grandchildren whom she loved to spoil with her time and attention.

Jannine was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many capacities. When describing her faith, Jannine often said “blessed are the peacemakers,” and this was a quality fondly recalled by her children.

Our lives were richly blessed by her presence, and there is no question that a void now exists in this earthly life without her. Her generosity and kindness were always present and the love she had for her family was never in doubt. She loved her dogs, music (especially if her children were playing and singing), flowers, and coloring.

She is survived by her children, Craig (Andrea), Ann (Terry), Jennifer (Gary), Benjamin (Bridget), Steffany, and Kimberlyn; 19 beloved grandchildren who will miss her very much (and they promise to take care of her fur baby, Itsy). She is also survived by her sisters, Shannon Chapman, Lynn Moore, and Ranae Kopet. She was preceded in death by her eternal companion, James L. Barrus, Jr., and her mother, LaRae Adams.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 2, 2020, 2:00pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 2323 N. Maple Grove Rd., Boise.

The service will be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7523577657.