Edith Ann Waite

Edith Ann Waite, 65, of Jerome, Idaho, passed away on August 23, 2025, at the St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Edie was born on February 15, 1960 in Twin Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Roger William Fiala and Edith Evelyn VanAusdeln. She had 3 siblings; her older brother David, and two older sisters, Roseann and Kathleen. She grew up on their family farm and was part of one of the first graduating classes of Jerome High School in 1978.

Edie married Rodney Ira Waite on June 29, 1979 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were happily married for 35 years until Rodney’s death from ALS in 2014. Her children treasure their memories of family vacations to the Alturas Campground, San Francisco, New York City, and Costa Rica. Their home was always open to their children’s friends and hosted many happy family dinners and holidays.

Education was always very important to Edie. Well into her career, she went back to school to earn an Associate Degree in Library and Information Science from the College of Southern Idaho in 2014. She then continued her education and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University in 2019.

Edie owned a cleaning business during her children’s early years, and she encouraged them to help her to earn money. This was foundational in teaching a strong work ethic to her kids. Later she became a librarian, merchandiser, and especially enjoyed working in Jerome High School’s counseling department assisting students with online classes, scholarships, and career fairs.

Edie especially loved reading on her Kindle, making her own yogurt and sodas, spending time with family and friends, and yearly back to school shopping with her grandkids. She always took the time to make great memories with her family, including taking all of her family on a cruise to the Bahamas a few months ago. She also enjoyed volunteering in the community, including giving blood and serving at the Jerome Community Kitchen at the Catholic Church.

Edie was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was passionate about her faith and enjoyed serving in many capacities in the church, including primary teacher, primary president, compassionate service leader, and youth Sunday school teacher.

Edie is remembered by her family for chocolate sheet cakes for every birthday, “Bedtime for Bonzos”, weekly calls with grandkids, buckets of raspberries, and a passion for lawncare. She was also an amazing grandma who was adored by her grandkids.

Remaining to cherish Edie’s memory are her three children, Jarett (Jenna) Waite, Audrey (Nathan) Zohner and Jennifer (Jason) Kelly; grandchildren, Bryce, Wyatt, Tyler, Talia, Allison, Morgan, Ethan and Elaine; brother, David (Marilyn) Fiala; sister, Roseann Fiala; and many extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Waite; her father, Roger Fiala; her mother, Evelyn VanAusdeln; her sister, Kathleen Watkins; her mother-in-law, Nola Schwartz; her father-in-law, John Waite, brother-in-law, Dale Waite; and brother-in-law DelRay Waite.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 South Lincoln, Jerome, ID 83338 from 6:00-8:00pm. There will also be a short viewing in the LDS Church Building, 825 E Ave B, Jerome, ID, 83338, from 10:00-10:45am before her funeral service on September 6th.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00am in the LDS Church Building, 825 E Ave B, Jerome, ID, 83338, with Bishop Dean Lusk officiating. Graveside service will be held at the Jerome Cemetery, 701 West I, Jerome, ID, 83338.

Memorial Donations in Edie’s name may be made to the ALS Association, https://www.als.org.

In lieu of donations, help finding a home for Edie’s three beautiful cats would be much appreciated - please contact Jarett Waite at (435) 862-1811.

Jesse and James (both neutered males) are a bonded pair, so we’d like them to be adopted together. They are loving, cuddly and playful - never a boring moment with these two.

Stormy (spayed female) is a big ball of fluff that will cuddle in your lap for hours. She likes to lie in wait for toys and ambush them as they stroll by.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Edie’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.