Fern Marie Bishop (Sperber)

Fern Marie Bishop (Sperber) was welcomed into the family on Jan. 20, 1938, by her parents, Martin and June (Stockton) Bishop, and her eight older siblings. She grew up in Plummer, Idaho, and graduated from Plummer High School in 1956 as a 12-year senior. During her high school years she played basketball, traveled to Boise as the Girls State delegate, was president of the Girls League and student body secretary.

In 1956, Fern attended a dance at Chatcolet Lake. There she met the man of her dreams, Gary Sperber, who was just home from the service. They fell in love and one year later they married at the Baptist Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on June 29, 1957.

Fern was a devoted wife and loving mother to her five rowdy boys: Bret, Brad, Kevin, Kurt and Chris. As a family they enjoyed camping and fishing.

Fern loved people and enjoyed her years waitressing at Sandpoint Café and the Rocky Point Lodge in Heyburn State Park. She worked as a bookkeeper at the Pole Yard in Plummer for Butcher Wood Preserving. She made lifelong friends working at the Plummer Worley School District. Being a teacher’s aide, she touched the lives of many students. After working 29 years at the school, she retired in 2003.

Fern was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in St. Maries, Idaho, for 25 years. She was baptized in May of 1995, in the St. Joe River.

Fern enjoyed picking huckleberries to make huckleberry jam, pancakes and pies for her family and friends. She looked forward to family gatherings and family reunions to catch up with everyone. Her passion was cake decorating and she loved making those one-of-a-kind cakes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was famous for her many beautiful wedding, anniversary, holiday and birthday cakes. Fern enjoyed burning brush, 4-wheeling with Gary around the property, and getting wood. She was an avid Seahawks fan, took pleasure in reading and especially loved camping with her friends, Gordon and Ann.

Fern and Gary realized their lifelong dream of going to Alaska in 1994. There they stayed with Gordon and Gisela Sperber in Juneau. In August of 2018, they attended Kaitlyn and Hunter’s wedding in Soldotna, Alaska, and stayed with Kevin and Shirley.

Fern adored all of her grandkids and great grandkids and looked forward to their visits. Her grandchildren are BJ and Matt Sperber (Bret and Cheryl), Sheila Davis (Brad and Sandy), Joshua and Jessica Sperber and Kaitlyn Hamrick (Kevin and Shirley), Krista Torpey and Kyle Sperber (Kurt and Kathy), Keith Sperber (Debby), Robert, Paul and Jonathan Sperber (Chris and Crystal), and great-grandkids include: Cason Sperber (Kelsey), Connor and Colton Sperber (BJ and Jenn), IdaMay and Samantha Sperber (Matt and Jessica), Kylie and London Davis (Sheila and Tommy), Maguire and Walker Sperber (Joshua and Hana); Carter Sexton (Kyle), Grant and Mason Cook (Jessica and Casey), Baby Hamrick (due June 2021) (Kaitlyn and Hunter), Mus and Brody Torpey (Krista and Ronald), Taylynn Sperber (Melinda), Jaron and Evelynn Sperber (Keith and J’Nene).

Fern came home on Jan. 11, 2021, to be with her family. She quietly slipped away on Jan. 13, 2021, to be home with Jesus. She was surrounded by her husband of 63 years, her five sons and their families, and nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her unlimited love, her patient nature and genuine kind spirit. She is already deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Lighthouse Baptist Church, 32 Timberock Lane, St. Maries, ID 83861.

Services are being planned for the Spring of 2021.