Bernice Passey Gauer

Bernice Passey Gauer, 87, a long time resident of Menan passed away February 12, 2006 in Rigby, Idaho. Bernice was born in a small log house November 13, 1918 in Lanark (Bear Lake), Idaho to Melvin and Lula Smith Passey. Her life on the family farm was hard and, alongside her three brothers, she learned the meaning of hard work to help her family. At an early age she became a very good cook with the experience she gained helping her mother prepare meals for the harvest threshing crews. This experience helped her land her first job at the Paris Hotel as a cook and waitress. She loved to cook and was always making something special for someone, with her specialty being pies and candy. She attended schools in Lanark and Paris she graduated in 1936 from Fielding High School in Paris, Idaho. She loved school and had many friends. On January 25, 1939 Bernice married Otto J. Gauer in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. After their marriage they made their home in Montpelier, Idaho for seven years and then moved to Menan in 1946. Bernice was an active member of the L.D.S. church where she served in many leadership positions. She loved her callings in the church and especially enjoyed her calling as Relief Society President. After Otto retired they served an 18-month mission at the Swiss Temple in Bern, Switzerland. She loved to travel, visiting numerous states and countries. She and Otto built a cabin in Island Park where they made many great memories with family and friends. She also enjoyed making new friends during the several winters spent in Overton Neveda. Survivors are a son, Randy J. Gauer of Grant, Idaho, and two daughters, Janet (Chuck) Summers of Grant and Jean (Rich) Asbury of Ucon, Idaho; a brother, Bruce J. Passey of Syracuse Utah; seven grandchildren, Garin (Andria) Summers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Justin (Erin) Summers, Rigby, Brook (Heidi) Summers, Ucon, Blake (Megan) Summers, Idaho Falls, Shalee Summers, Salt Lake City, Utah, Dylan Asbury and Hailey Asbury of Ucon, and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, January 12, 2000; her parents and two brothers. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 17th at 1:00 p.m. at the Menan First Ward LDS Chapel. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Research to Prevent Blindness, 645 Madison Avenue 421, New York, New York, 10022.