Vera Lynn (Christopherson) McCrae

     Vera L. (Christopherson) McCrae, 72, a resident of Gooding, joined her Heavenly Father on July 25, 2020. 

     Vera was born in Wendell, Idaho, to Leonard and Grace Christopherson on June 6, 1948.  Vera was kind of the middle child of 10 siblings Valoy, Chris, Arlyn, Sharon, Monte, Albert, Theresa, Debbie, Joyce.  It was always a trivia question at family reunion to name them in order from oldest to youngest.

     Vera graduated from Gooding High School in 1966. Later in life she got her Associate of Arts from CSI in 1994 and in 1996 she got her Bachelor of Arts from BSU. 

     Vera’s passion in life was riding horses.  As a child she rode her horse into town 8 miles for Horse 4-H and then rode home the 8 miles. She rode in an endurance race 15 to 20 miles from Hill City to Bliss and took first place.  She had a smaller horse than the rest of the racers and was told the horse couldn’t do that long of race. Mom was persistent and trained for many weeks.   Vera rode in the Gooding Sheriffs Posey and many years with the Liberty Bells.  A couple of years riding in the Liberty Bells she got to ride with her daughter - Robin Stratton, and a few other mother and daughter riders.   

     Vera’s other passion was her flowers and plants.  If there was a bare patch of dirt, she had to plant a flower in it. She had a house full of plants and would always take another one in especially when her daughter was killing a plant. 

     Family was always the most important thing and treasured part of mom.  She raised 4 boys and one daughter.  She was always there for us kids even if it was a phone call.

     She was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers - Albert Christopherson and Arlyn Christopherson; sisters - Chris Walgamott, Joyce Johnsen, and Valoy Jensen; and son-in law - Kevin Stratton.

     Vera is survived by: her sons - Zane (Flo) Condie of Boise, ID, Theron  (Tracie) Condie of Caldwell, ID, Kenneth (Kirby) McCrae of Dallas, TX and Ryan McCrae of Twin Falls, ID.; daughter - Robin Stratton of Gooding, ID; her grandchildren - Elizabeth Condie, Erika Condie, Wyatt Bryan, Megan Bryan,  Kenna McCrae, Kynzlee McCrae, Karalyne McCrae, Tifini Stratton,  Matt Lemire and Lisa LeMire; and great grandaughter - Kaislee LeMire. 

     A funeral service for Family Only will be held at the Gooding L.D.S. Church on Saturday August 22, 2020 at 10:00 am, followed by graveside service at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

     Following the graveside, a celebration of life will be held at 12:00 pm at the West Park in Gooding.  It will be a potluck of hamburgers and hot dog.   As per the family’s request bring blankets, camp chairs, your own water or drink and please be mindful of social distancing.

     Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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