Norma Jean Ker

Norma Jean “Jeannie” Ker, 74, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with Gallbladder Cancer.

Jeannie was born January 6, 1952, in Butte, MT to Kenneth Alfred Bagley and Victoria June Norman. She was the second child of seven. After running away from a troublesome childhood, she was blessed to be with her eternal family in the home of Donald Martel Chevalier and Eleanor May Nelson Chevalier.

She attended elementary school in Silver Bow County, the Good Shepherd Home in Spokane, WA, and graduated from C.R. Russell in 1970. After graduation, Jeannie went to school at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID with hopes of earning a degree in child psychology and would be able to help people as a counselor. However, the Lord had different plans for her.

In 1974, she married James Arthur Anderson. Together they welcomed a daughter and a son, Mindy LaVonne and Jake James. They divorced a few short years later. She then found and married her eternal sweetheart, Robert Steven Ker, on May 1st, 1987. Steve was a packaged deal that came along with five boys of his own, Steven, Chad, Jason, Shane, and Shawn. She never liked the title Stepmom though. Family was family whether you were full, half, or step. That lesson was instilled in their children as well. Feeling that their family was incomplete, they had welcomed three more children, a son, Jed Travis “J.T.” Ker, and two daughters, Becky Jean and Kristi June. Steve and Jeannie later sealed their marriage in the LDS Idaho Falls Temple on March 6, 2004.

Jeannie worked with her family’s business at the Kiowa Junction KOA as she grew up and later found her love as a server for over 54 years. She worked in Montana at the M&M Restaurant and the Green Triangle as a bar maid. In Idaho at Stockman’s Restaurant, Me & Stan’s, O’Brady’s, and Walkers Café. She finally found her forever career at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery until she was forced to medically retire at the age of 72, after 32 years with the company. She lived most of her childhood in Montana, from Butte to Sidney, and a brief time in Spokane, Washington. She moved away to a better life for herself, in Idaho, to where she lived in Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Moreland, Shelley, and finally settled back in Idaho Falls where she has lived for the last 14 years with her husband.

Jeannie was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held callings within the church as a cub scout leader, primary teacher, nursery leader, librarian, and an activity day leader. She was a fanatic when it came to sewing. She crafted anything you could think of. All of her family was sporting the clothing she made for them from western band shirts, Halloween costumes, baptism dresses, dance costumes, wedding dresses, and normal everyday clothes. Norma Jean poured her heartfelt efforts into everything she did in this

life. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and she exemplified His love by serving others- especially her family, nothing compared to the love she had of being a wife, mother, and grandma.

At the end of life, Jeannie’s final advice is that people treat others with kindness, love, and respect no matter age, race, gender, or beliefs. She is a fighter and hopes no one else will have to endure the struggle and pain of Gallbladder cancer. Please, if you feel any symptoms or pain do not hesitate to be seen. Early prevention can save lives!

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents: Kenneth Bagley, June Hibbs, Don & Eleanor Chevalier, her brothers: Mark Hibbs, Raymond Bagley, and Ron Chevalier, sister: Edie Ferre, grandparents: Victor Norman, Elma Salmonson Norman, Warren Eugene Bagley and Alice Freda Sullenger, (step) son Steven Lynn Ker, and son-in-law Christian Wright.

She is survived by her eternal sweetheart: Robert Steven Ker of Idaho Falls, Children: Shane Ker of Butte, MT, Mindy (Justin) Stocks of Tremonton, Utah, Chad (Kandace) Ker of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Jake (Trudi) Anderson of Rigby, ID, Jason Ker of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Shawn (Elvira) Ker of Winnemucca, NV, JT (Amanda) Ker of Shelley, ID, Becky Webb of American Fork, UT, and Kristi (Bradley) Johnson of Thatcher, UT. Siblings: Jan (Chuck Pruitt) Wendell, Barbara (David) Dibble, Cindy (Tim) Hooper, Rick (Janet) Chevalier, Gary (Crystal) Chevalier, Michelle Chevalier, Bob (Emmy) Chevalier, Greg (M'Lisa) Chevalier, Jeff (Kathryn) Chevalier, Angela (Jeremy) Nelson, Mark (Allissandra) Chevalier, Tami Chevalier, and Bethani Chevalier; 38 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the following: Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Idaho Falls Fire Department, Teton Cancer Institute, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Teton Healthcare of Cascadia and all those who started out as friends and became family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 25, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1165 Azalea Dr, Idaho Falls, ID 83404). Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m. immediately prior to the funeral, or on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home (101 W Main St, Rigby, ID 83442). Interment at the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.