Idaho State Journal, 02/08/04

SODA SPRINGS - Fern Stock Tipton, 89, passed away Feb. 6, 2004 at the Caribou Memorial Hospital in Soda Springs, Idaho. She was born May 16, 1914 at St. Charles, Idaho, to George P. and Cora Williamson Stock. She married Paul L. Tipton on June 14, 1935 at Montpelier, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on Aug. 3, 1949. Mr. Tipton passed away on Nov. 28, 1996 in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Fern grew up and attended school in Montpelier, Idaho, graduating from Montpelier High School in 1931. She had just turned 16 years old when she graduated as Valedictorian, belonged to the National Honor Society and received the Balfour Trophy for Scholarship and Achievement.

She attended the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho (now known as ISU), graduating in 1933 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, later receiving a Bachelors of Administration from Utah State University, and her Certification in Special Education. She began teaching school at Ivins (Bannock County) School District #33, from 1933 to 1935, and later taught at Alexander School District No. 1.

On June 14, 1935, she married Paul L, Tipton at Montpelier, Idaho. Paul and Fern lived in Soda Springs, Idaho, and she began teaching school for the Soda Springs School District #150 in 1954 until her retirement in 1979.

She later wrote scripts for educational materials with Dr. Neldon Kingston and worked for Utah Sate University supervising student teachers. She was a member of Iota chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, later serving as Idaho State President.

Fern loved children and one of her greatest joys was visits from students she had taught over the years. She touched many lives and continued to hear from students up until the time of her death. She dearly loved her family and her grandchildren and was an active part of their lives. She served actively in the LDS church all of her life -- a source of great joy to her. Paul and Fern had a home on Bear Lake and loved to meet with family there.

She is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Patricia Lynne and Kenneth Smith of Centerville, Utah, and Teresa Jean (Terre) and Dwight Lakey of Soda Springs, Idaho. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Surviving are two sisters, Pearl S. Fryar, Soda Springs, Idaho, and Betty S. Hunter of Fish Haven, Idaho. She is preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Lois Closner, Montpelier, Idaho, and Erma Passey, of Ogden, Utah.

The funeral will be held at the Soda Springs Stake Center at 12 noon, Feb. 9, 2004.