Marilyn Jody Fifer

BURLEY – Marilyn “Jody” Palmer Loveless Fifer, age 77, of Burley, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah.

Jody was born to Jesse and Stella Roylance Palmer on Aug. 20, 1935, in Inkom, Idaho. She was the fourth of five children. She grew up in Inkom surrounded by cousins, then spent a few years in Pocatello as she worked as a telephone switchboard operator and briefly taught dance lessons. Jody met Eldon Loveless in Burley. They were married on March 2, 1957, in Tijuana, Mexico, before moving to Inglewood, California, for Eldon's job. Their daughter, Kathy, was born there. After a few years, they moved to Buena Park, California, where their son, Kenny, was born. Jody's parents lived in Los Angeles, California, so she visited them often.

Jody did not work until her kids were about ages 12 and 9. She was the favorite mom on the block. Jody and her friend would often take their five kids to the beach for the day.

Eldon and Jody divorced in 1972. She allowed Eldon to take the kids to Burley, Idaho, since they didn't want to separate them from each other. It broke her heart, and she stayed in contact as often as she could. Jody moved to the Riverside, California area, where she worked in a bakery and then at a K-Mart store. She met and married Robert “Bob” Fifer, who moved her to Alamogordo, New Mexico, near his family. Here, Jody sold items in a western store and helped to manage a resort hotel. She divorced Bob after a few years.

She moved back to Idaho and worked graveyard shifts at a Circle K to help Kathy with her young twins. Jody's parents had moved to nearby Inkom. Jody retired at age 67, and moved to Burley. She worked for the foster grandparent program at Dworshak Elementary in Burley for several years, until her health prevented it.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received her temple endowments in May 2002. She enjoyed attending different temples and attending church with Kathy's family.

Jody enjoyed time with family, playing cards, shooting pool, reading, and scrap booking. She had many years of trial with her health, but was always thinking of ways to make other people's lives better. She was a very giving person, and will truly be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a baby sister; and an infant great-grandson, Bailey Nash. She is survived by children, Kathy (Frank) Marker of Burley, and Ken (Chris) Loveless of Atlanta, Ga.; her grandkids, Dee Dee Nash and her two daughters of Boise, Richard Nash of Boise, Lauren Loveless of Pleasanton, Calif., Katie Hanes and her three boys of Burley, David Marker of Pocatello, and Rachel Loveless of Atlanta, Ga. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15, at the Burley LDS 3rd and 7th Ward Church, 2200 Oakley Ave., with Bishop David Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Inkom Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.