Fern Zweifel

Fern Zweifel, age 93, formerly of Ririe, passed away with her daughter, Leone, by her side on October 29, 2009, at an adult family home in Bellevue, Washington. Fern was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 15, 1916 to George and Freda Oberg Gordon. She graduated from high school in the Salt Lake City area. Fern married William Fredrick Martindale on January 1, 1937 in Oakley, Idaho. During the next few years, they had three children. While raising her children, Fern went to nursing school. After graduating from nursing school, she worked for two doctors during the day and worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital at night while taking care of her sick husband and three children. She worked as a nurse for 35 years and was very dedicated to her profession. In spite of the many demands that were placed on her, Fern had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around with all who knew her. Fern was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many church callings, working primarily in the Sunday school and the Primary as a teacher and as a chorister. She was also a visiting teacher. Fern loved music and sang not only in the ward choir, but sang solos for weddings, funerals, and special programs. After the death of her first husband, Fern married John Zweifel on October 12, 1963. They enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping, and they loved to take trips up to the mountains and across the country. She loved raising pigs with John in Monteview, Idaho. They moved to Ririe, Idaho and lived there for many years. After the death of John, Fern moved to Issaquah, Washington to be near her daughter, Lee. Survivors include her two children: Leone Ruth Irwin from Issaquah, Washington, and Fredrick William Martindale (Carol) from Idaho Falls. She also left behind her six stepchildren: Shirley Downs (Kyle) from Hamer, Idaho, Evelyn Tomlinson (Albert) from Monteview, Idaho, Ruby Shaw from Winnemucca, Nevada, George Zweifel (Michelle) from Molalla, Oregon, Helen Brutsch (Werner) from Sandy (Utah), Allen Zweifel (Pam) from Millington, Tennessee and step daughter-in-law Claudia Zweifel from Mesa, Arizona. Fern had many grandchildren and great grand children. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Martindale, her second husband John Zweifel, a son, George Martindale, son-in-law, Everett "Arnie" Irwin,and a stepson, Howard Zweifel. A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 10, 2009 at the Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby, Idaho. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.