Joan Kerfoot

Joan F. Jensen Kerfoot passed away on November 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at Edgewood Memory Care. Joan was born on April 26, 1934, to Nan and Murray Jensen in Burley, Idaho. She was the youngest of three girls, with her older sisters Barbara and Pat.

The majority of her younger years were spent in the Jerome area but the family also spent time in Blackfoot, Tacoma Washington and Washington D. C.  Joan was known for her spunk and sass, qualities that stayed with her throughout her life. Around the age of 12, she beat up a bully who had hidden a friend’s bike. When the boy’s father came to their house to complain about his son’s black eye, he took one look at petite little Joanie, turned around, and walked away. Joan rarely backed down when she believed she was right.

Joan graduated from Jerome High School in 1952 and then spent the next year with her parents in Japan before returning to attend college.  Joan met the love of her life, Ben Kerfoot, at the College of Idaho, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. Ben first saw her at his brother’s wedding and told his mom he was going to marry that girl—even though they had never met. They were married on August 19, 1956, and spent 64 amazing years together, hunting, salmon fishing in Vancouver, BC, traveling the world, and raising their three children—John, Perry, and Patti.

Joan began her career teaching first grade, but her true love was kindergarten. When the Kerfoots moved back to Fruitland for the second time in 1968, she started her own private kindergarten, first in churches and then in the basement of her home. Joan may not have been the best speller, but she had a song for everything. Overnight visitors were serenaded with her “Good Morning” song and many others. She shared these songs with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. Joan eventually began teaching kindergarten at Fruitland Elementary once it became part of the school system. She had former kindergarten students in their 60s who still called her “Miss Joan” and loved to recall their time in her classroom.

Joan was very involved in her children’s—and later her grandchildren’s—activities. She often reheated dinner three or four times to accommodate her husband’s and children’s practice schedules. She never missed a sporting event or extracurricular activity and could usually be found at the top of the bleachers with Ben, a sack full of snacks, and her voice ringing through the stadium or gym as she cheered them on. She was known to love snacks more than any other food. After games, there was always a get-together at the home of close friends—Nyces, Hutchinsons, Tesnohlideks—or at their own home.

Joan was very involved in the United Methodist Church in Fruitland, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was active in the Christian Women’s organization. She participated in many community activities, including the Fruitland PTA, pinochle and bridge clubs, and especially PEO, where she helped raise money for scholarships for women in higher education and served as an officer and committee member.

Along with being a loving mom, she was also an amazing grandma and great-grandma. She spent hours playing games, singing, and spoiling the little ones. Even into her late 80s, she would do Ring Around the Rosy and fall to the ground with them. She knew how to entertain children and loved every minute of it.

Joan had a zest for life and loved spending time with her family. Her spunk, sass, and love of snacks will be fondly remembered, as will her warmth as a mother, auntie, sister, and grandmother.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Arvin Spofford; her three children—John (spouse Holly), Perry (spouse Sue), and Patti (Fagen) (spouse John); her grandchildren—Ben, Samantha, Tali, Nikolas, Walter, and Jonathon; and her great-grandchildren—Camden, Cora, Koda, and Finn.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 on December 27th 2025 at Fruitland United Methodist Church 317 SW Second Street Fruitland, Idaho 83619. Reception to follow at Orchard Hall Event Center 110 SW 3rd St Fruitland, Idaho 83619

Memorials and donations can be made to Fruitland High School Dollars for Scholars c/o Gayle Van Weerdhuizen, Secretary 2845 NW 1st Ave New Plymouth, ID 83655 or P.E.O. Chapter AF c/o Prudi Sherman 3921 Clark Blvd Ontario, Oregon 97914

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to  Ancora Hospice and Edgewood Memory Care Fruitland for their compassionate care. 

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Lienkaemper Funeral Chapel, Ontario, Oregon