Obituary of Romona Edith Andrus

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Romona “Mona” Andrus. Romona slipped away peacefully on Sunday, August 6^th , at the age of 90 years, with family by her side and in the comfort of her home in Wilder.

Romona was born in February of 1933, in Lorretta, Nebraska, to Edith and Herman Cook. She was the youngest sibling of Zetha and Lester.  She spent her early years in Loretto, Nebraska, attending primary school and graduating the 10^th grade. She met and married Alonzo “Joe” Vanosdall and they moved to Mountain Home, Idaho in 1964. They moved to and settled in Wilder in 1968, where they made a home and farmed on 33 acres.  She loved gardening and canning her fruits and vegetables; baking treats and pies to share with others; fishing and relaxing at the river; and tending to her collection of wild birds (Peacocks, Guinea hens, and chickens). She made sure to teach these skills to her children and grandchildren.  In addition to her being a homemaker, farmer, and mother, she spent a decade working at the Pantorium Dry Cleaners in Caldwell and 32 years at Flahiff’s Funeral Chapel, in Homedale, ensuring loved ones received the respect and attention to detail they deserved in their time of need.

In 1978, Romona was remarried to Keith Fearn and with the marriage she gained three sons and a daughter that she loved as if they had been with her from day one.  Her and Keith spent many happy years enjoying family and taking trips together, such as going to Winnemucca, Lake Lowell, and the Meridian Speedway. Together they owned and operated the Farmer’s Inn in Homedale for 10 years enjoying the connection to the community and making many friends, until they retired.

After Keith passed away in 1992, Romona was happy to spend her time with family and volunteering at the Senior Citizens Center, until she met and was wooed by the lovable and charming Edwin Andrus, they married in 1995. Ed was a fantastic addition to the family and Romona loved her time with him. She particularly enjoyed going to dinner shows and the long country drives with him until his passing in 2001.

 She was a very loving mother that raised 9 children: Clifford Vanosdall of Emmett, Idaho (Judy), Duane Vanosdall, Lyle Vanosdall of Wilder, Idaho (Kathryn), Janece Fretwell of Jordan Valley, Oregon (Denny), Lonnie Vanosdall of Marsing, Idaho, Naomi Brown of Wilder, Idaho (Morris), Lola Hamrick of Emmett, Idaho (Kevin), Joe Jr Vanosdall, and Jack Nelson of Lynnfield, Massachusetts (Hillary). Romona was the absolute proudest grandmother of 21 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Romona was instinctually a protector and provider. She was fiercely protective of the children. She would go out of her way to help anyone that needed it, particularly later in life she made sure that the elderly in town always had a ride to their appointments and to “town” to get medicine, etc. She ignored the fact that she WAS an elderly, because the others needed help. She was the most unselfish person and she was happiest when helping others.

One of her most enduring legacies will be her passion and gift for quilting. She made every one of us a quilt; EVERY one, to include the 79 grandkids, some of us more than one. She taught many in the family to quilt, to include extended family, so her legacy lives on.  She dedicated many hours of detailed work to make quilts for the Senior Citizens Center to raffle off as a fund raising device. Single handedly bringing thousands of dollars over the years.

Romona is survived by her sister Zetha Estes; children; son, Lyle Vanosdall (Kathryn); daughters, Janece Fretwell (Denny), Naomi Brown (Morris), and Lola Hamrick (Kevin); sons Kenneth Fearn, Keith Fearn (Shari), Ted Fearn (Beverly) and  Jack Nelson (Hillary). She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a legacy of loving and caring for them all.

Romona was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Herman Cook; brother, Lester Cook (Anon); husbands; Edwin Andrus, Keith Fearn, and Alonzo Joe Vanosdall; sons, Duane Vanosdall, Joe Jr. Vanosdall, Clifford Vanosdall (Judy), and Lonnie Vanosdall; daughter, Darlene Stites; grandson, Daniel Vanosdall, and great-grandson Noah Brown.

Family and Friends are invited to the pay respects on Friday, Aug 18, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Flahiff’s Funeral Chapel in Homedale.

The Funeral service will be on Saturday, Aug 19, 2023 at 11:00 am at Flahiff’s.  After the service there will be a reception at the Homedale Senior Citizens Center for all family and friends.

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