Sep. 10, 1936 - Sep. 13, 2021
Date of Service: Sep. 22, 2021
RUPERT – Sidney Lynn Fernau, an 85-year-old resident of Rupert, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert, Idaho, with family by his side.
Sidney was born September 10, 1936, the youngest of 13 children born to David Harvey and Ella May Wolcott Fernau in Ainsworth, Nebraska, and was the last of the children to pass away. He grew up on the family farm walking up hill in the snow both ways to a one-room country school house and then attended high school in town at Ainsworth High School and graduated in 1954. He was not able to attend commencement ceremonies because he contracted scarlet fever. In 1959, he joined the United States Army and went to basic training at Fort Raleigh, Kansas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was then stationed at Fort Meyer, Arlington, Virginia in the First Battle Group, 3rd infantry, known as the President’s Own or Old Guard, which fulfills ceremonial duties and security missions. From 1959 to 1962 he was headquartered as a Caisson, those responsible for preforming horse drawn processions for full and standard-honor funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. He also took part in the ceremonies of the inaugural parade and tomb ceremony during the inauguration of John F. Kennedy.
In December of 1962, he drove his Pontiac across the country to Idaho where several of his brothers had come after World War II and drew homesteads. He worked for A & P Potatoes and J.R. Simplot Company. He then purchased a truck and hauled potatoes for farmers. In 1970, he was introduced to Lillian Joyce Wilson by his brother, Wilbur, and sister-in-law, Doriene, while working at Simplot Potatoes. They were married on July 24th of that year. Their daughter, Michelle, was born the following year in 1971, followed by a daughter, Tamera, in 1973, and their son Eric in 1975. They moved north of Rupert in 1974. In 1978, he went to work for Ore-Ida Foods as a hyster driver in the freezer (Americold purchased later) and retired after 21 years.
Over the years he enjoyed remodeling the family home, growing a large garden, going fishing down to his favorite fish pond, attending family reunions with his large family, and playing a game of Yahtzee or dice.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce of 51 years; his children, Michelle DeLuna (Agustin) of Rupert, Tamera Egan (Robert) of Burley, and Eric Fernau of Rupert; grandchildren, Alysa DeLuna, Austin DeLuna, Brittany Ray Anderson, and Quinton Ray; and great-grandchildren, Conor and Aidan Thomas, Jayten and Ariya Anderson, and Allie and Kenly Ray. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters, Vera Esterly and Ruby Barrett; and brothers, Lester, Glen, Wilbur, Charles, Calvin, Dale, Lavern, Earl, Dean and Rodney Fernau.
A celebration of Sidney’s life will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley.
A graveside service will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 22, at Rupert Cemetery where he will be buried up the hill from his home. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.
The family expresses sincere appreciation to the staffs of Minidoka Memorial Hospital, Autumn Haven Assisted Living, and Visions Hospice; all who took extraordinary care during his last two weeks.
