Fern Byington

Fern Eugenie Fagnant Byington was born March 11, 1921, to Daisy Mary Bell and Alfred Paul Fagnant. She grew up and graduated from Lava Hot Springs High School.

She married Henry Dowe Byington in Jerome, Idaho. They raised four daughters and one son on their Dempsey Creek ranch. While Dowe served in World War II, she worked at Hill Field repairing B-24 engines that were sent back to the combat zones. Fern attended college and received a degree in Elementary Education. She taught one year at McCammon Elementary and then continued teaching at Lava Elementary until she retired at age 67. Active in the LDS Church, Fern especially enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine. She served a faithful mission in the Salt Lake City Church and Family History Mission. She enjoyed family, working in her yard, painting, and crocheting.

She is survived by four of her children: Jeananne (Robert) Welch of Rupert, Idaho; Karen (Arnold) Davis of Inkom, Idaho; Carla (Owen) Scanlon of Hailey, Idaho; and Evan (Luana) Byington of Lehi, Utah; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. She has one living brother, Donald Fagnant, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, and one sister, Pauline Kunkel, Pocatello, Idaho.

Fern was preceded in death by her daughter Launa Jo Byington who she lived with in Utah for seven years until Launa's death on January 1, 2015. Each of Fern's surviving children then enjoyed having her take turns living with them until she passed away from age related issues on Thursday evening September 3, 2015, at the home of her son Evan Byington.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p. m. Saturday, September 12th, in the Lava Hot Springs LDS Church. A viewing will be held at the church from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Lava Hot Springs cemetery.