Merle E. "Penny" Feriante

ALMO – Our beloved mother, sister, and friend, Merle "Penny" Feriante, left her earthly body to return to her Heavenly Father on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016.

Penny was born July 21, 1926, the third of five children born to Eugene Emery Jr. and Guinavere Hunter Emery in Oakley, Idaho, where she was raised as a true rancher's daughter. At times, she spent extended periods of time away from home on the range tending sheep and cattle. She graduated from Oakley High School and later was a professor favorite in the creative writing classes she took in California. She wrote a book about ranch life in the Old West. Some of her early original genealogical research was published in the mid 1960s. Articles she submitted to Relief Society Magazine were distributed worldwide and published in 36 languages. Penny was a talented painter and her artwork is a treasure to those lucky enough to possess it.

During World War II, while working as secretary to the Camp Rupert Post Judge Advocate, she met the love of her life, Jerry Paul Feriante. For several weeks, Jerry had Penny convinced that his name was Joseph Smith. They married May 4, 1946, after the war ended, and settled in San Mateo, Calif. After Jerry joined the LDS Church, they and their young children were soon sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were together for 59 years.

After more than 20 years in San Mateo, the family relocated to Buhl, Idaho. When all of Penny's 11 children were finally in school, she worked as a bookkeeper for a private telephone company in Filer, Idaho, and later for other businesses in the area. In 1977, they moved to Filer. After Jerry's retirement, they spent some years in Palo Alto, Calif., and Washington before moving to Twin Falls, Idaho. Penny spent her last two years in Almo, Idaho.

Penny was a faithful member of the LDS Church. She loved to serve and held various church callings, and, her favorites always involved teaching children. Penny loved music and fostered a home that included much music and beautiful singing. She always participated in San Mateo's excellent ward choir and would consistently bring her older children to participate in the choir.

Volunteering was an important part of Penny's life. She was a youth coach, taught English as a second language, operated a foster home for many years, and, in her later years, tutored kindergartners. Penny was talented at handiwork and her knitted, crocheted, and tatted creations are cherished by their owners. She was sought after as an instructor in the lost art of tatting.

Gardening was one of Penny’s favorite pastimes. She grew award-winning roses and had a talent for raising orchids. Many hours were spent in the kitchen canning the produce she harvested.

She had many roles in life, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. However, her favorite role was always that of being a mother. Her happiest memories were those where she was surrounded by her family. She loved her children with all her heart. She will be missed dearly.

Penny is survived by her children, Randy (Charliss) Feriante of Palo Alto, Calif., Chris (Adele) Feriante of Houston, Texas, Dana (Danny) Custard of Elmwood, Neb., Lisa (Scott) Pence of Twin Falls, Idaho, Hannah (Mark) Machacek of the Dominican Republic, Sara (John) Donkersloot of Fairfield, Idaho, Amy (Michael) Carter of Poulsbo, Wash., Aaron (Traci) Feriante of Twin Falls, Idaho, Adam (Kortnee) Feriante of Fremont, Calif., and Mark (Stephanie) Feriante of Granite Quarry, N.C.; 40 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her brother, Don (Gayla) Emery of Jerome, Idaho, sisters, Dorothy Clark of Albion, Idaho, and Verna (James) Page of Burley, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Roger; husband, Jerry; brother, Hilton Emery; and her loving parents. We are comforted to know she is with them once again.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Almo LDS Church, 834 E. 2985 S., in Almo. A viewing will be held from 10 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. The graveside service and interment will be held the same day at 2:30 p.m. at the Oakley Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.