Josette (Josie) Marie Fuhriman

December 14, 1945 – February 16, 2026

Josette (Josie) Marie Fuhriman—our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend—passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 16, 2026. Born in San Francisco, California, to Gerald O'Connor and Adrienne McKelvie, Josie's early years were defined by the energy of the bay.

A Journey Home

Mom was a vibrant child of the 50s and 60s, and she spoke often and fondly of her youth in San Francisco. Her memories were filled with swimming in the Bay and summer trips to the Russian River with her extended family. In her late teens, her adventurous spirit led her to travel across the country before eventually settling in Astoria, Oregon, where she welcomed her first two children, Jim and Dawn.

Life eventually brought her to Boise, Idaho, where she remarried and completed her family with six more children. Though she never forgot the city by the bay, Josie made the Treasure Valley her true home for the rest of her life, planting deep roots in the community and the soil she loved to garden.

A Life in Motion

If there was a beat, Josie was moving to it. A ballerina in her youth, she never truly stopped dancing. Whether it was a public performance or a private moment in her kitchen, music was her constant companion. In her younger years, she was often found on the tennis court or in the pool, embracing a life of activity and grace.

She was also a woman of endearing quirks. Most notably, she had an "unreasonable" fear of heights. I always told her she should just "embrace the fear and carry on," which usually earned me a classic sideways look that let me know exactly what she thought of that suggestion.

She was also famously, consistently late to everything. It was the family's long-standing joke that she would be late to her own funeral—and as we plan her services now, we're all half-expecting her to make one final, fashionably late entrance.

Her Hands and Her Heart

Her hands were rarely still. Josie was a master of the "handmade life"—she sewed her children's clothes, spent countless hours crocheting, and took great pride in canning the food she grew.

Mom never met a stranger. She truly believed her life's mission was to talk to people, making friends in grocery store lines and temple halls alike. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found immense strength and joy in attending the temple as often as possible. Perhaps her favorite service was the many years she spent teaching primary; she cherished getting to know the children and found her greatest joy in watching them grow.

Her Legacy

While she had many talents, Josie's greatest masterpiece was her family. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Charlie McKelvie and John O'Connor.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret McKelvie; her aunt, Madeleine O'Connor; and a large, loving extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She leaves behind a massive legacy in her 8 children: Jim (Deann) Fuhriman, Dawn (Jerry) Houghton, Jessica (Jeremy) Campbell, Josh (Angie) Fuhriman, Joe (Alex) Fuhriman, Jake (Melyssa) Fuhriman, Jeni (Roy) Medina, and Judi (Keith) Oxford. She is also survived by her 4 stepchildren: Dennis, MaryLynn, Jon, and Mike Fuhriman.

Her spirit lives on in her 34 grandchildren: Alyx, Kajsa, Chantell, Cody, Christopher, Cicilia, Samantha, Tempus, J.D., Maicel, Javier, Joaquin, Gertie, Erina, Ellie, Annalise, Jazper, Lacey, Addy, Dean, Briggs, Hilario, Alex, Bell, Emilio, Liliana, Esperanza, Miley, Elijah, Cede, Nessa, Hailey, Marshal, and Kolton.

She was also the proud great-grandmother to 10: Celestine, Rav, Gabe, Andrea, Charlie, Michael, Rowen, Lorelei, Gerick, Rayn, and Rory—with one more precious great-grandchild on the way.

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Service Information

Services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the LDS Church located at 224 E Avalon St, Kuna, ID 83634.

• Viewing: 9:00 AM

• Funeral Service: 10:00 AM

Interment will follow at the Kuna Cemetery. Following the graveside service, friends and family are invited back to the church for a luncheon to share memories and celebrate Josie's life.