Margaret Louise Fast Skimmyhorn, age 78, passed away on February 23, 2023, in Meridian, Idaho, due to complications from Alzheimer’s. She is now in eternal Glory with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Margaret was born on July 15, 1944, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Edwin and Marie Fast. The family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1951. After graduating from Idaho Falls High School, she attended Baylor University (Sic ‘em, Bears) in Waco, Texas, receiving a B.S. in Home Economics and a lifetime certificate in secondary education. She later received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Idaho State University. Her true love was teaching, whether it was in a classroom, her church, children’s choirs, community classes, a behavior health center, or teaching her boys all the pillars of home economics. She concluded her career as a teacher for the Idaho Virtual Academy (IDVA), retiring in 2011. In 2008 she received a K12 Founder’s Award, recognizing her as one of the top online school teachers in the U.S.
Margaret was dedicated to God’s Word both through study and through living out His teachings. She was a devoted member of her local church, willing to help when needed, including teaching classes, making meals, or playing the piano on Sunday mornings or impromptu before her Bible Study Fellowship meetings. She steadfastly prayed for all, including her neighborhood, her grandchildren’s teachers, and sons’ pastors. Throughout her life, Margaret displayed many talents and hobbies. Whether it was gardening, canning, quilting, or singing, Margaret found new ways to express herself. She loved watching a good minor league baseball game, including watching the Little League World Series, going to the symphony, traveling and hiking with her husband, Jerry, and, of course, her Baylor Bears.
Margaret found devotion and love in her family and her friends. She was committed to raising her boys to be men of God (which naturally included teaching them how to make dinner from scratch!) ); and she taught them to enjoy beautiful music, to take in God’s creation, and to serve their fellow man. She took in her stepsons, nieces, and nephews as her own. Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and friend.
Margaret is survived by her devoted husband of 32 years, Jerry Skimmyhorn; her son Daniel Whiting of Cheverly, Maryland, his wife, Sunshine and their children Amelia, Wyatt, Caroline, and Eleanor; her son Tim Whiting of Arlington, Texas, his wife Betsy, and their sons Luke and Sam; her stepson Rob Skimmyhorn of Vancouver, Washington, his wife Deb, and their sons Matthew and Tommy; her stepson Bill Skimmyhorn of Williamsburg, Virginia, his wife, Stephanie, and their children Lucas and Lexi; her stepson Michael Skimmyhorn of Kuna, Idaho, and his children Grayson and Savannah. She is also survived by her brother, Larry Fast of Vancouver, Washington, andhis wife, Brenda; her sister, Genita Angel of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and her husband Larry; and her sister, Cecilia Glenn of Vancouver, Washington. She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Fast, her mother, Marie Fast, and her brother, Verle Dean Fast.
Margaret will be remembered at a service celebrating her life on March 18, 2023, at 10 AM at Tree City Church at 3852 N Eagle Rd, Boise, ID 83713. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in her memory to World Vision ( https://www.worldvision.org/donate ) or to your local church. If you would like to view the service virtually, please visit https://danwhiting.com/margaret to receive an invitation.
As you look for ways to remember and honor Margaret, she would want you to: keep learning; travel; listen to, play, and sing beautiful music; handwash your dishes; don’t buy something new when something you have will do; always reuse your plastic bags; remember…life isn’t fair; and, mostly importantly, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
We love you! We will see you again in Glory.