Gladys McCann Kerns De Chambeau (Birth 3 Oct 1910/Death 17 Dec 1987)

Gladys M. Kerns De Chambeau, 77, of 1873 University Dr., Boise, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 1987, at home of natural causes.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, in the Alden-Waggoner Chapel. Inurnment (interment) will be at a later date at Mountain View Mausoleum.

Mrs. De Chambeau, a retired nurse and businesswoman, was born Oct. 3, 1910, at Vancouver, Wash., a daughter of Ed and Ethel McCann. Gladys grew up in Rockwood, Ore., and received her registered nurse degree from Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Ore. She married Dr. Marion J. Kerns on July 10,1935, at Vancouver, Wash. She was a nurse at Portland’s Providence Hospital during World War II. In 1945, her family returned to Fairfield, Idaho, where Dr. Kerns resumed his medical practice. In 1949, they purchased Fairfield Drug, and Gladys began a career as a successful businesswoman. In 1973, they retired and moved to Boise. Dr. Kerns died Jan. 27, 1974. She married Elgie De Chambeau on March 30, 1978. He died Feb. 14, 1983.

Gladys was very active in community affairs, both in Fairfield and Boise. In Fairfield, she and several other women formed a hobo singing group and toured southern Idaho to promote the “Jackrabbit Highway,” a proposed paved highway between Boise and Sun Valley that would connect to Yellowstone Park. The Jackrabbit Highway is now U.S. 20. In Boise, when her health permitted, she was active in the Boise Senior Center, River Street Community Center and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star; Fairfield chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary; the Democratic party; charter member of a senior walking organization, The Happy Hoofers; and a charter member of Meeting of the Minds Society, a senior citizen organization beginning in Boise which has since become nationwide with the theme, “Growing Younger-Growing Wiser.”

She was an avid fan of the Boise State University basketball team, attending every game she could. Gladys also enjoyed watching the L.A. Lakers, her favorite players being Kareem and Magic. She enjoyed playing bridge at the River Street Community Center with her friends, and a walk or riding her bicycle on the Greenbelt.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathleen Lee of Gooding and Suzy Kerns of Boise; a son, Jim Kerns of Boise; a brother, Vaughn McCann of St. Helens, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Boise Senior Center, 700 Robbins Road, Boise 83702.