Marva Harris

DECLO - Marva Harris, age 85, of Victor, Idaho, formerly of Declo, died Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at Oak Creek Rehabilitation Center in Kimberly. Marva was born in the home of her grandmother who was the midwife in Burley on Feb. 6, 1929, to Merna Edith Fewkes Warren and Albert Elihue Warren. She spent her childhood in the View area working on her father’s farm and helping her mother with her younger siblings. Their house was always full with a multitude of cousins and other family members close by. Marva was the second daughter with four sisters and two brothers.

At the age of 16, while working on her father’s potato farm, she met a handsome cowboy by the name of Byron "Jay" Harris. They were married on July 3, 1946. The first years of their marriage were spent helping out on her father-in-law’s ranch in Albion, Idaho, then at Fort Lewis in Washington, until Jay was honorably discharged from the United States Army and they were able to return to Idaho in the View area and farm.

Marva was very happy when they purchased their home in Declo, Idaho, where Marva and Jay raised their seven children teaching them the value of hard work and leading by example. Marva and Jay worked together as custodians for the Declo Schools and she also worked at the J. R. Simplot Company in Heyburn for many years. After an accident there, she returned to school getting her GED and then became a licensed dietician which was a great accomplishment for her. She then went to work at Cassia Memorial Hospital in Burley and later at Dworshak Elementary School.

Marva loved cowboys and even wrote several articles that were published in Western Horseman. She was a member of the Declo Domestic Duchesses and often hosted their summer picnics in her backyard. She loved to garden and would decorate with paper lanterns and serve Jay's famous barbeque chicken.

Marva loved to play cards, whether it was with family or friends. Often after Jay’s passing, Marva, when not to be found at home, could be found out playing cards with the "girls." Marva loved making crafts (especially ceramics and oil paintings) and has left her family with many wonderful reminders of her creative abilities.

In 2005, Marva sold her home in Declo and moved to Victor, Idaho, to live with her daughter, Pam. She enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren attending school events and sports activities. She loved it when Pam would take her to walk in the large green house at the local nursery or out to lunch for coconut shrimp. She loved to watch cowboy shows and it was best not to get her started when it came to politics. Marva was particularly excited when any of Pam's boys stopped by - especially John. Her family will miss hearing, "Well, Hi!"

Marva is survived by her children, Marsha (Keith) Spiers of Adrian, Ore., Pamela (Carl) Williams of Victor, Kerry Harris of Albion, Wendy (Scott) Priest of View, Tim Harris of Elba, and Laurie (Paul) Gorringe of Boise; two sisters, June Warr of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Janet (Art) Johnson of Springville, Utah; one brother, Gary Warren of Burley; 19 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bryon Jay Harris; one daughter, Debra Dawn Tupyi; one granddaughter, Nicole Tupyi; two sisters, Maxine Kelly and Sharon Kersey; and one brother, Jack Warren.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, and from 9 until 9:45 a.m. Tuesday prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the View Cemetery.