Avis June Germain

Early the morning of January 21, 2019, Avis June Germain passed from this life to her Heavenly Home. It seemed fitting that she would catch her first glimpse of Jesus face at this time of day, as mornings were always a favorite time for Avis and her husband Bruce. Without fail, they would start the day with coffee, Bible reading and prayer together. They gave the best part of the day to the best part of their lives and that was growing in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Avis was a bright testimony of God’s establishing grace. For many years, she struggled with doubts and insecurities regarding her spiritual walk, but in the past twenty plus years there were no such questions. She grew by leaps and bounds it seemed even as she was living out her last days. Just a matter of hours before her passing, she was heard telling Jesus thank you that she knew what He had done for her and that she knew she had a home in Heaven.
Avis was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Despite the difficulties of living with dialysis and kidney failure over the last three years, she still had a zest for living and a desire to see her children and grandchildren succeed in life and most of all in their Christian walks.
Avis was born January 30, 1939 in Fessenden, North Dakota to Chester and Elizabeth (Melhoff) Hayford. Her home birth was miraculous as it occurred in the middle of a blizzard without access to a doctor or hospital. She was born weighing less than 4 pounds and not breathing. Thankfully, Grandmother Rangna Hayford was on hand and was of strong pioneer stock. Elizabeth asked, “Is she ok?” and Grandma’s stern response was, “She will be!” and with that she forced air into tiny lungs till Baby’s color turned pink and she began to breathe on her own.
Avis graduated High School in 1957 in Larimore, North Dakota. She attended college at God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, OH and Bible Missionary Institute in Rock Island, IL where she received a Christian Workers certificate. Following college she worked in Larimore at Elk Valley State Bank as a teller until her family relocated to Kuna, Idaho in 1968. Here she was employed again as a teller at Bank of Idaho. Avis always loved children and taught Sunday School and Christian Day School for many years.
Though Avis, at times felt like an ‘old maid’ she did have many suitors. She just didn’t find one that suited her till she met widower Bruce Germain and his small son, Brian. They were married August 30, 1974 and made a happy home together on Harmony Lane in Greenleaf, ID where they would raise their children and become active in their church and community. Avis had a huge heart that never seemed to lack room for anyone new. She accepted Brian as her own and often joked that she married Bruce to get Brian as a son. They all rejoiced when Karen joined the family several years later following a number of miscarriages and the stillbirth of a son, Dale Edwin. Avis was the perfect grandma and her enthusiasm for each new grandbaby was boundless.
Favorite hobbies included shopping excursions with her mother “Grandma Liz”, young Karen, and/or one or more like-minded lady friends in tow. Store clerks knew her and affectionately dubbed her “Aunt Bea.” The only thing which could possibly top this were the camping trips she enjoyed with her family. Birthdays and holidays were always special as her excitement was infectious and she had a passion for making things special for those she loved. Upon telling him of Grandma’s move to Heaven, her youngest grandson wondered, “…..but WHAT are we going to do about Christmas Eve??!”
Avis early retirement years and “empty nest” recovery were spent working as a clerk at the Greenleaf Store for seven years. Here, she opened her heart to everyone and became proxy Grandma to many youngsters and a friend to everyone that would give her the slightest chance. The same was true during her approximate 468 days spent at Liberty Dialysis. To know her was to love her. The family would like to thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff and her personal CNA, granddaughter Kayla for the loving care they gave Avis.
Avis is survived by her husband, Bruce Edwin Germain, who cared for her so lovingly throughout her illness, brother, Dale (Ileta) Hayford, son Brian (Elizabeth) Germain, daughter Karen (Richard) Bork, eight surviving grandchildren, Jared (Olga) Germain, Bruce (Charyl) Germain, Kayla Bork, Annette Germain, Kalli Bork, Kamilla Bork, Kaite Bork, and Kaderick Bork, along with many other nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Dale Edwin Germain.
Funeral services will be held at Dakan Funeral Chapel 504 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell, ID at 10:30am Saturday, January 26, 2019. Rev. Richard Bork and Rev. Dale Hayford will be officiating. Internment will follow at Wilder Cemetery. The family will greet friends at Dakan Funeral Chapel Friday evening from 6 to 8pm.

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