Forrest William Freer

On August 15 we said goodbye to Forrest Freer (86) of Mountain Home. Forrest was a farmer to his core his whole life. His father owned a dairy farm when he was young where he grew up milking  cows, and according to everyone who knew him “doing as much work as a full grown man”. The family eventually put down roots in Mountain Home when his father purchased the family farm in 1952. Forrest took over the farm when he was 25 years old when Lewis was killed in a tractor accident in 1963.  He attended college at BYU and Oregon State where he studied agriculture. He was so knowledgeable about his career that other farmers sought his advice and expertise.  He served as the Mountain Home Irrigation District Board President and on the board for the Farm Credit Association (FCA). He worked hard on the farm and was a good family man.

Forrest was a man who valued hard work and honesty, but also loved to have a good time. He was fiercely loyal and a determined provider. He loved to read history and stories of survival. He enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, fishing, and snowmobiling. He loved being outdoors in the mountains. In his younger years he loved to box and drag race. He was boisterous, and will be remembered for his sense of humor and his professional grade whistling. He became quite a traveler after retirement, and with his wife, Shirley visited many places such as Niger West Africa, Australia, Alaska, Tasmania, New Zealand, and many trips throughout Canada. 

He is survived by his wife Shirley Kencke Freer, his two step daughters Michele and Nicole, three sons by his first wife Carole, Bryan (and his wife Jeanne), Mark (and his wife Cher) and Todd, nine grandchildren- Denise, Ethan, Russel, Henry, Ryan, Avie, Claire, Bryson, and Ahmira and one great granddaughter, Jane, his sisters Sherie and Loa and his brother George

 He is preceded in death by his son David (who died in 2013), parents Lewis and Ruby Freer, sisters Berwyn, Karma, and Darhl. Forrest was born 5th of eight children in Burley, ID on May 13th, 1938 by Lewis Freer and Ruby Williams. 

Cremation by Rost Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.rostfuneral.com. Memorial Donations may be made to The Daisy Foundation PO Box 2216 Anacortes, WA 98221. This organization promotes excellence for nurses. Elmore St Lukes staff were wonderful the 10 days of Forrest’s stay.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 14th at 4 p.m. at Elk’s Lodge, 325 South 3rd West, Mountain Home, ID.