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Fern Arlene Johnston (Bracht), 88

Much-loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and community volunteer Fern Arlene Johnston, born May 25, 1930, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Lester and Helma Bracht, passed away Feb. 20, 2019, in her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Fern grew up in Lewiston and attended the University of Idaho, where she was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Fern met and dated Don, and they were later married at the St. Stanislaus Church, in Lewiston, on June 3, 1951. Don and Fern were happily married for 67 and a half years, and they were blessed with a wonderful family consisting of eight children, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Fern was active in Coeur d’Alene throughout her life. With her husband, Don, a former Coeur d’Alene mayor, they founded and maintained a private park in downtown Coeur d’Alene. They planted and maintained this private park for over 25 years. In past years, Fern was active in the St. Thomas Catholic Church, United Way, the North Idaho Museum and she was a volunteer at Kootenai Hospital. Fern was an avid walker and likely accumulated enough lifetime steps to circle the globe. During the summer months, she and their kids enjoyed spending many happy days at Sanders Beach. On occasion, Don would join them at the beach during his lunch hour.

Fern will be long remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and friend. Fern took great pride in raising their eight children. She loved hosting countless family events for holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. In later years she enjoyed excursions with her adult daughters at Long Beach, Wash. Fern and Don also enjoyed many road trips in their motorhome. Fern leaves a legacy of wonderful memories with everyone she knew.

Fern is survived by her husband, Don; her children and their spouses, Terry of San Francisco, Lisa Wheeler of Santa Rosa, Calif., Wendy and Mack Stewart of La Grande, Ore., Jody and John Beck of Spokane Valley, Wash., Tom and Ann Johnston of Dalton Gardens, Idaho, Tami and Jody Johnson of Seattle, Tim and Marcee Johnston of Dalton Gardens and Tina and Derek O’Sullivan of Federal Way, Wash; her sister-in-law, Eleanor Smith of Coeur d’Alene; her niece, Diane Smith of Coeur d’Alene and by all their grandchildren: Sara, Tani, Jeff, Ben, Leah, Jimmy, Max, Amanda, Jordan, Jake, Josh and Tess.

There will be a viewing for Fern from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 Indiana Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, with burial to follow at St. Thomas Cemetery.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign Fern’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.