POCATELLO – Vera Gene Evans Briscoe, 73, after an extended illness, passed away peacefully at Portneuf West Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family on January 12, 2004

Vera was born June 12, 1930 to Charles S. and Geneva Fern Evans in Malad, Idaho. She began her education in Malad, Idaho, and attended Pocatello and Inkom High Schools, graduating from Inkom High School as class valedictorian.

After high school she married a fine young man, James Perry Briscoe on December 29, 1948 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Vera learned a good work ethic at a young age, picking strawberries, raspberries and other fruits and vegetables to help with the family finances. The first year of marriage she cleaned the St. Anthony Hospital. After her children were all in school, she began a home business making draperies and other window coverings, which she continued for 35 years.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in numerous callings throughout her life. She loved working with the youth, and served over a decade as a ward and stake Young Women’s president. She was a ward and stake librarian for 15 years, which she dearly loved.

Vera enjoyed embroidering, camping, road trips with her sisters, going to dinner with family and friends, attending any family fathering, and a highlight in her later years in the life was going on a cruise with her family. She always wanted to hold new babies in the family and was able to do so until the last few hours of her life.

Vera is survived by her four children; Katherine (Fred) Woodin, Terry Briscoe, Nolan (Tammy) Briscoe, Kelly Briscoe, and a daughter-in-law, Janice Briscoe; sisters-in-law, Leah Evans and Ruby Evans; and a brother, Stephen Evans; sisters, Lois Fenwick, June (Darrel) Whitworth, Florence Brown and Leda (Ray) King; 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, James Perry Briscoe, brothers, Dean Evans and Charles S. Evans, Jr., brother-in-law, Tom Fenwick, daughter-ini-law JoAnne Briscoe, and grandson, Tanner James Briscoe.

Funeral services will be conducted by Bishop Verlyn Dabell on January 15 at the LDS Pocatello North Stake Center. Burial will follow the services at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery.