On a rainy September morning (27th) the sweet spirit of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother ascended into Heaven.

She was born Fern Dale Pray on June 4, 1921, to Austin and Linnie Marie (Bell) Pray in Detroit, Mich. She was the youngest of four children.

Fern moved from Michigan to Coeur d'Alene in 1946 to join her sister Norma. She married Jack C. Durdy on July 16, 1947, and they began their long and happy life together.

Fern stayed home to raise and care for their three children.

She loved to bowl, to golf and to play the organ. She also made the best homemade pies and breads. She had a special place in her heart for children, which led her to crochet hats and blankets for the newborn babies at Kootenai Medical Center. Her priority was always her family. She had a deep faith in her Lord and was a longtime member of Coeur d'Alene Bible Church.

Fern is survived by her loving husband, of 63 years, Jack; her son, Bruce Lee Durdy (Cindy) of Boise; her daughters, Donna (Israel) Melendez of Coeur d'Alene and Judi Corlett of Boise; granddaughters, Heidi Wilmer of Coeur d'Alene, Kelli (KC) Broyles of Meridian, Kerri (Ross McCusker) of Meridian, Katie Corlett of Portland, Ore., and Kim (Jared) Harris also of Portland; grandsons, David Lee Boland of Alaska and William DeVillier of Colorado; sister Evelyn Beeler of Michigan; as well as several great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Linnie Pray; sister Norma Braden and brother Lewis Pray.

In the last years, Fern was cared for at home by her husband, Jack; her granddaughter, Heidi Wilmer; and caregivers, Claudia Shapiro, Star Shewey and Jan Frank.

Fern's family would like to extend a special Thank You to Fern's caregivers for the compassionate care given to Fern in her last years.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Coeur d'Alene Bible Church, 5350 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Fern will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene.

English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, has been entrusted to handle the final arrangements.

Please visit Fern's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

Be Happy I Am

Do not weep and do not cry,

I am alive, I did not die.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush;

I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not weep, do not cry, I am alive, I did not die.

Be happy I am.