Ann Marie Peters

1940 - 2025

Ann Marie (Jenks) Peters passed away at her home on October 11, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born January 24, 1940, to Clarence and Lucinda Jenks at Gritman Hospital in Moscow, Idaho. Ann grew up in Moscow, joining her family that included older brother James. Ann was a good conversationalist and always had time to talk. She had a soft spot for her pets. And she enjoyed sharing many details of her family history. She also liked cooking ratatouille, making her own applesauce, and baking pumpkin pies. She self-admitted that she was not crafty.

Her first home on Polk Street burned when she was a small child. The family moved to a nearby home on Seventh Street where Ann lived for the remainder of her childhood. When she was nine, younger brother Ralph arrived. As an older sister she became responsible for watching after her younger sibling. The family had a cabin on Coeur d'Alene Lake where they spent most summer weekends. One afternoon Ann caught a sixteen-inch trout off the dock while her brother Jim watched. No one else in the family ever caught a bigger one. We still have the picture.

She loved music and participated in singing groups all of her life. At Moscow High School she was active on the school drill team and chorus, graduating in 1958 with honors. She also worked part time at the Moscow Public Library. While in the school chorus she met Bruce Sarff who also enjoyed music and singing. They married in Moscow in 1960 and subsequently moved to Red Bluff, California, where Bruce was employed at Diamond Match. In 1961 their first-born son David was born to the young couple, followed by daughter Cindy the next year. By 1963 they were ready to move back to Idaho, eventually landing at a home on Lynn Street in Moscow. Youngest son Shawn was born in Moscow in 1966.

Ann found employment at the Instructional Media Center at the University of Idaho where she worked for several years while she earned her BA of Education and later a Masters degree. In the late 1970s Bruce and Ann divorced. Ann moved to Idaho Falls where she found employment as a special education and elementary school teacher which remained her vocation until she retired in 2002.

Ann was active in the Methodist Church in Idaho Falls, particularly enjoying the choir. There she met Kermit Peters who became the true love of her life. They married in 1996 and immensely enjoyed each other's company, traveling throughout the US as well as several trips to Europe. They also stayed busy camping, boating, gardening, and singing together. Kermit died in 2019 of Parkinson's Disease.

Through most of her adult life Ann had dogs and cats which she would love and spoil. Her favorite was Barney who lived with Ann and Kermit during the last years of Kermit's life providing support for her during a difficult time.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Lucinda Jenks, husband Kermit Peters, and brother James Jenks. She is survived by her children David Sarff (spouse Kimberly), Cindy Sweat (spouse Donald Sherman), Shawn Sarff, Greg Peters (spouse Lori), Cherylyn Landon (spouse Joseph), Christian Peters (spouse Jessica); grandchildren Robin Sarff (spouse Lisa), Greg Sarff, Jason Peters, Anthony Peters, Joel Landon, Abigail Peters, Nathan Peters, Benjamin Peters, Elyana Peters; great grandchildren Skylar Sarff, Kaiya Sarff, and Xena Sarff; and younger brother Ralph Jenks (spouse Carol).

A memorial service will be held for Ann on Monday, October 20, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Idaho Falls followed by a luncheon.