Pearl M. Vanskike

Fairfield, Idaho - Pearl M. Vanskike, age 96, a resident of Fairfield, passed away at her home on Sunday, February 3, 2013.

Pearl was born to Earl J. and Effie Pearson on August 2, 1916 at the family home in Camas County, Idaho. She attended Crighton School with her brothers, Walter and Dale, through eight grades. While attending Camas County High School she boarded at the home of William and Ruby Vanskike where she became acquainted with her future husband Loy Vanskike. After graduation, Pearl spent summers cooking for farm crews on several Camas County farms.

On January 17, 1937, she was married to Loy Vanskike at the home of her cousin Ina and Eddie Krahn in Gooding, Idaho. They returned to the prairie where they worked for farmers, Loy driving tractor and Pearl cooking for the hired hands. In 1941, they purchased forty acres west of Fairfield and began building their current home. Pearl was a constant helpmate in the construction and did most of the painting and papering of the home.

In 1945, they purchased the local Charlie Graham Dairy. Washing the milking machines, cream separator and milk bottles were now added to her housekeeping, gardening and mothering duties. They delivered milk to Fairfield homes until Loy’s crippling accident in 1956. Pearl continued to milk the cows, no longer bottling or delivering milk but now shipping milk and cream to near-by processors. When cows became too hard to handle they sold the cows and started raising sheep. Once again Pearl learned new skills now feeding and helping with spring lambing. Due to Loy’s paralysis, Pearl was his “Right Hand“, holding nails, carrying tools, and anything else that required a second hand.

Pearl was a charter member of the Fairfield Community Church. She was one of the original members of the “Ruth and Naomi Society”, she taught children’s Sunday School , Bible memory verses to Awana kids, and served on many committees and the Missions Board.

She loved gardening, raising most of her own vegetables in a weed free garden. Her flower gardens were always well thought out and arranged. Trees did not always grow when and where she wanted them but she continued planting new trees until they grew. Cooking and baking also occupied many of her days. She always had desserts prepared for Loy’s sweet tooth. Her evenings were filled with knitting and crocheting. She enjoyed sewing, attending classes to learn clothes fitting and upholstery.

Pearl is survived by her children Dorothy, Margie and Gordie, nine grand children, fourteen great grand children and four great- great grand children. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, one sister-in-law and numerous cousins.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Fairfield Community Church in Fairfield. Burial will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorial donations in Pearl’s name be made to either The Boise Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 1494 Boise, Idaho 83701; or to Nursing Home Ministries, P.O. Box 22246 Portland, Oregon 97269-2246.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.