Nelma Faux-Howard

Nelma Arlene Faux Howard went to be with the Savior she loved, surrounded by her family in Jerome on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Nelma was born at home in Buhl, Idaho on February 6, 1929, the middle child of John Clinton and Dora Louise Davis Faux; she joined older brother, Howard and the birth of her sister, Nelda, four years later completed the family. During the Depression, after Clint lost his job at Gibbs Cigar Store, Nelma and her siblings attended the Deep Creek School while living on Clint’s stepfather, James Larson’s Ranch, then later moved back to town in 1940 when Clint resumed working for Mrs. Myrtle Gibbs at the Cigar Store and Pool Hall. Clint later purchased the establishment in 1948 which became the local hangout for pool and card players, farmers shooting the breeze, and several generations of youth in Buhl. Nelma attended Buhl High School and graduated in 1947. Following her graduation, she worked for Shields Seed Company as a bookkeeper.

The following year, on February 8, she married Richard G. “Dick” Howard, a local farmer/rancher, also from Buhl. With the exception of two years spent in Amarillo, Texas, Nelma and Dick made their home in Buhl farming and ranching, first raising dairy cows, then sheep, and finally registered Black Angus cattle. Their family also began to grow with the addition of four daughters: Luann, Sidney, Deanice and Cara. The entire family was actively involved in the cattle operation which, for a number of years included taking a show string of breeding stock and market animals in 4-H and Open Class to the Twin Falls County Fair, Boise State Fair, as well as other Angus Shows and Bull Sales around the Northwest. Nelma did her part by making sure each showman (woman) was properly fed and clothed and orchestrated everyone having the right animal for the appropriate class at the right time. Organizing was always one of her greatest attributes. Nelma was a co-leader of the Sunnyside Beef 4-H Club for 25 years and a long-time member of the Idaho Ladies Angus Auxillary.

The family was the hub around which Nelma’s life revolved, devoting all of her time and energies to being a wife and mother, an excellent cook, a generous and gracious host, there was always an open invitation around the table to feed family or friends who came by to visit, or hungry hired hands working on the ranch. Nelma was an active supporter and cheerleader for each of her girls, running a taxi service between piano lessons, sports activities, and church events. Always fun and easy-going, she was a very popular and favorite substitute mom for anyone who needed a place to belong or to just hang out with the gang.

The home was always filled with music and on any given day you could hear the voices of Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins or Johnny Cash to Kate Smith, Elvis or Tennessee Ernie Ford singing hymns and songs of inspiration. The Christian faith was a crucial part of Nelma’s life, having been raised attending the Nazarene church in her youth, the United Methodist Church when she was married, and later joining the Buhl First Christian Church when the girls started attending there as teens.

When the marriage ended in 1991, Nelma and Dick sold Howard Angus Ranch and Nelma moved to her home on Manor Drive in Buhl and began working for Sattgast’s Hardware Store, then eventually became a cashier at R & B Grocery (Ridley’s) until she retired after suffering a heart attack in 2004. Nelma stayed busy pursuing her interest in genealogy, keeping up with the activities and interests of her children and grandchildren, watching Days of Our Lives, acquiring an enviable collection of movies, and listening to her music. She also made and gave away countless crocheted gloves and winter hats, scarves, dishrags, coasters and baby blankets to grateful family and friends.  For the past five years, Nelma made her home with her youngest daughter Cara, and her family in Jerome.

Nelma was preceded in death by her parents, Clint and Dora Faux; and brother, Howard. She is survived by her sister, Nelda Faux Reynolds of Buhl, Idaho; four daughters, Rev. Luann Howard of  Kamiah, Idaho; Sidney (Todd) Fahner of Buhl, Idaho; Deanice Howard also of Buhl, Idaho; and Cara (Darren) Bonnes of  Jerome, Idaho; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; honorary daughters, Connie Burrows of Carson City, Nevada, Idaho; Vicky Faux of  Buhl, Idaho; and Carolyn Harrelson of Kimberly, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Thanks go out to Visions Hospice of Twin Falls for their excellent care. Memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners and Buhl First Christian Church.

A viewing will be held for Nelma from 5:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave North, Buhl. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 10, 2021 with a viewing one hour prior to service at First Christian Church, 1005 Poplar St. Buhl. Interment will conclude at West End Cemetery. A potluck gathering will take place after the interment at Buhl First Christian Church, those who can are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share.

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