Apr. 18, 1950 - Jan. 16, 2026
Date of Service: Jan. 22, 2026
Service Program
BURLEY – Martha “Fern” Hirst peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father on January 16, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by her family, in her home in Burley, Idaho.
Fern was born in Rexburg, Idaho, to Samuel and Myrtle Kennington on April 18, 1950. She was the youngest of five children. She grew up in Archer, Idaho, and after graduating from high school, she moved to Salt Lake City to attend LDS Business College. While in Salt Lake City, she met her eternal companion, Rick Hirst. They were married in 1970 and later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on January 27, 1979.
Upon graduating from LDS Business College, Fern worked as a deputy court clerk in Salt Lake City until she chose to be a stay-at-home mom.
Rick and Fern moved their family to Burley, Idaho, in May of 1981.
After her children were all old enough to go to school, Fern worked as a school bus driver for Cassia County School District for 26 years. Fern enjoyed being a bus driver; she drove a regular route, Head Start preschool route, and took many trips with the school kids, many of them for her children's classes, so she could spend more time with them. After retiring from driving the bus, Fern was able to give much more time to her hobbies.
Family was always important to Fern and was at the center of everything she did. She had a strong bond with her children and grandchildren, and even made each one of her grandkids a quilt to remember her by. Fern enjoyed spending as much time with her family as she could fit in.
Fern loved gardening and being outdoors; her children and grandchildren knew that she could make anything grow! Fern spent many hours and miles riding on the back of the motorcycle with Rick. Although she never really enjoyed riding the motorcycle, she sure did enjoy "hanging on to the guy holding onto the handlebars". Fern loved to read, and she was dedicated to writing in her journals, leaving volumes of history and experiences for her posterity to enjoy. Above all else, she loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy lives on in the lives she nurtured, the values she taught, and the love she gave so freely.
Fern was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving those around her. She served in many capacities throughout her life, recently as a temple worker in the Twin Falls, Idaho, Temple, which she enjoyed most of all. She was an example of faith and loved the temple and our Savior.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents; and three siblings. Fern is survived by her loving husband, Rick; her four children, Michelle (Shawn) Murray, Ric Hirst Jr., Kimberly (Chad) Cazier, and Timothy (Laurel) Hirst; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister.
Fern will be greatly missed as her mission of service is continued with those who passed before her.
A simple brief graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 22, at the Sutton Cemetery, located at 864 East 7156 South, in Rexburg, Idaho.
A viewing for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley.
