Fern Lucille Mccormack

Fern Lucille Russell passed away June 22, 2021, at her home in Pocatello, ID. She was 97 years, 11 months and 6 days old! She hoped to make it to her 98th birthday but died of natural causes just short of that goal.

Fern was born in Pocatello on July 16, 1923. She graduated from Pocatello High School in 1942. During her teen years she broke wild horses for a neighbor to earn money. She rode her own horse to school and pretty much anywhere she wanted to go. She had a lifelong love of horses and her home was filled with all types of horse memorabilia, statues, pictures, blankets, clothing, etc. We have a picture of her leading a horse by the bridle and she looked to be around 3 or 4 years old; she was fearless.

She met Larry L McCormack on a blind date and they were married on June 1, 1943. After WWll was over and Dad was released from the Army, they came back to Pocatello and built a home together on South 2nd Ave, where they lived for over 65 years.
They shared a love of hunting and fishing. They were gone every weekend during the summer & fall doing one or the other. The kids grew up eating Venison and Trout, with the occasional Elk, Pheasant, Sage Hens, etc. added for variety.
They were both avid bowlers and there were many trophies displayed for various tournaments they won, both as a couple and individually. She once attended a Women’s Association National bowling tournament in New Orleans. The ladies on the team drove to New Orleans together and she had great stories to tell about that fun experience.
Fern & Larry also golfed whenever they could fit it in. Again, there were many trophies displayed at home recognizing their amazing golf career. Fern was the Handicap Chairman for Riverside Ladies Golf Association for many years. She finally had to give up golf in her mid 80’s due to a shoulder injury.

Fern worked at Montgomery Ward in the hardware/plumbing department for years, then left to manage Roy’s plumbing until it closed. She finished out her work career at Lamb Weston.
Fern loved to travel but Larry was a homebody, so she and her daughter traveled together. They had a goal to visit every state in the nation. They almost made it, with the exception of just a few.

Larry passed away in January, 2005. It was a sad & difficult time for Fern; she spent a lot of time with her friends and family, playing games and other activities (including golf) to keep her busy.

For the last ten years she has spent the winters in Yuma, Arizona. She loved being a “Snowbird” and made many friends there from across the U.S. & Canada.
Fern was an amazing lady with a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to play games and was very competitive. Everyone knew if you were going to play with Grandma you were probable going to lose. She loved her family and made an impact on each and every one of them. She made each of her grandchildren feel like they were her “favorite”! She was the matriarch of the family and will be greatly missed.

Fern outlived her husband and all of their same generation of family and friends. She often referred to herself as the “last one left”.

Fern is survived by:
Four children:
Larry (Tammy) McCormack, Pocatello
Debra (Pat) Carney, Pocatello
Sherry Viles, Pocatello
Richard (Sandy) McCormack, Magna, UT

Her forever daughter-in-law, Kerry McCormack, Boise, ID

Seven grandchildren:
Trent (Gena) Carney, Bloomington, IN
Adam (Kristine) Carney, Sandy, UT
Treon (Misty) McCormack, Boise, ID
Stormy McCormack, Boise, ID
April Cutler, Pocatello, ID
Travis (Deleatha) Cutler, Pocatello
Mark McCormack, Washington

Thirteen great-grandchildren:
Stuart (Hailey) Carney in Nashville, TN
Tristan Carney in Bloomington, IN
Quinten Carney, Bloomington, IN
Gage (Amnesty) Carney in San Antonio, TX
Alyssa (Alejandro) Carney, Salt Lake City, UT
Adam Carney, Jr., Salt Lake City, UT
McKenna Cutler, Idaho Falls, ID
Aayla (Jordan Lindley) Cutler, Pocatello, ID
Chelsie McCann, Oregon
Jacob Roland, Pocatello, ID
Alexia Felsted, Boise, ID
Lochlan McCormack, Boise, ID
Breken McCormack, Boise, ID

Five great-great-grandchildren:
Bradley Peters, San Antonio, TX
Loralei Carney, San Antonio, TX
Kaelos Melonchi, Salt Lake City, UT
Ozzie Lindley, Pocatello
Indigo Lindley, Pocatello

Special thanks to Heritage Hospice for their care during these last months.

Graveside services will be held on Fern’s 98th birthday, July 16, 2021, at 11 am at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S. 5th Ave. in Pocatello, where she will be laid to rest next to Larry.
A celebration of life will be held immediately after with the location to be determined.
More information will follow.