Lois Fyke

JEROME - Lois Ryan Darling Fyke passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

Lois was born to Fletcher R. and Bertha McIntyre Darling in their home in Randall, Kansas, on March 23, 1917. She passed away in her own home in Jerome, Idaho, on July 28, 2015. In 1920 her family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, and she grew up on the family farm just north of Twin Falls. She graduated from Twin Falls High School, attended Business College, and worked at the Times News Newspaper and the Twin Falls Canal Company before she married Raymond (Ray) Fyke in 1939 – the man who was the love of her life.

Lois and Ray farmed near Kimberly until they purchased a farm north of Jerome in 1941. That farm was their home and business until 1993 when they retired and moved to town in northeast Jerome where they lived out the rest of their lives.

Lois and Ray joined the Jerome United Methodist Church shortly after moving to Jerome, and both of them were active in the church, although deteriorating health in the last year limited Lois’ participation.

Lois and Ray were members of the Pleasant Plains Grange, the Jerome Grange, the Appleton Grange, and the Pomona (regional) Grange. Lois served in various offices in each organization. Some of her best stories related to adventures they had with fellow grangers during trips to state and national Grange meetings. Lois was a passionate Republican and worked for a number of candidates over the years, as well as for the local Republican Party. She was elected to the Jerome School Board, initially as a write-in candidate, and she served on the School Board as a member and as Chairman for a number of years, being repeatedly re-elected.

Lois had a number of interests, and she contributed to the community in various ways. She was an exceptional writer, with a great sense of humor. Letters to her children at college were in demand by their friends and regularly circulated for other college students in the dorm to enjoy. Lois developed readings or monologues that she delivered at various social events around the valley. One of the best and most popular reading made use of her extensive collection of hats. As she tried on an array of sometimes bizarre and always unusual hats, she carried on a hilarious conversation with her imaginary friend, Millie. The conclusion, of course, was the purchase of her own hat. Those hats, now, are used by the theater department of the College of Southern Idaho.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Ray; her parents, Fletcher and Bertha Darling; a brother, Mac, who died at birth; and her sister, Ruth Senften. She is survived by her three children: Bea (Gary) Broker of Boise; Tim (Janet) Fyke of Phoenix; David (Sharon) Fyke of Jerome; her grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great great grandchild.

The family would like to express appreciation and thanks to her many friends, the staff and residents at Creekside Living Center, and the entire community for its friendship and support over the years.

The family will host a celebration of life remembrance near the end of September/beginning of October, in Jerome. Information as to the time and place will be published and circulated in advance of that celebration. Memorials or contributions in memory of Lois may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Jerome United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.