Iva Fern Sleight

BURLEY – Iva Fern Sleight has gone to a huge family reunion in heaven. She will leave a huge void here and we will miss her beyond measure. She has always been the heart of the family. She passed away in her home at the age of 88, with loved ones near, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Fern was born April 28, 1936, in Burley, Idaho, the eleventh of 12 children born to Frank and Dora Alice (Kidd) McLaws. She had nine brothers and two sisters, all of whom she outlived. She married her friend and love, Lewis Leon Sleight in 1956. They had three daughters, who she loves dearly, four grandchildren, who she loves more, 12 great-grandchildren, who she loves the most, and two great-great-grandchildren she cherishes.

She graduated from Burley High School and went on to business college in Boise prior to her marriage. She worked hard her entire life babysitting, working in the potato fields, waitressing, washing dishes, working in several factories, and in the laundry at a nursing home. The final job that she loved was working as a scale operator for J R Simplot. She retired from that job after 20 years. She enjoyed the work and the people she worked with.

Old and young alike were drawn to Fern because of her sweet and gentle spirit. She took care of many children throughout her life. Her door was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, a meal to eat, or help getting on their feet. She was the neighborhood “beautician” to the elderly. She cared for her grandmother, mother, and several brothers at the end of their lives.

Fern enjoyed nature, gardening, canning, and reading – especially Louis L’Amour. She also loved poetry and could recite several Robert Service poems. She could still recite all of the counties in the State of Idaho. She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, and crocheting. In her later years she liked watching westerns and Judge Judy twice each day. Her favorite enjoyment in her life was her family.

Fern was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Primary, Relief Society, and at the Bishop’s Storehouse where she had many dear friends.

Fern was active in the PTA and was on the committee to have a traffic light placed at 8th Street and Overland Avenue. One of her favorite things to do was to serve as a poll worker during the elections – a responsibility she performed for many years. She loved and supported her country.

She is survived by her daughters, Michele Sleight and Debbie Sleight, both of Burley; three granddaughters, Nicole (George) Kinslow, Joni Castillo, and Rebekah Rich; six great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; and two great-great-grandchildren. She has one surviving sister-in-law, Bessie McLaws; a cousin, Dennis Kidd; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to all of her siblings, Fern was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Cheryl Choate; grandson, Ernest Ramos, Jr., and great-grandson, Emric Rawson.

We express our gratitude to the good people at Intermountain Homecare and Hospice for all the help and compassion the gave to Fern.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th Street, in Burley, where family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Officiating will be President Mark Fillmore. Burial will follow at Declo Cemetery.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/1qYd9QtzVn8.