Fern Snell Moore Kocherhans

June 2, 1931 – Nov. 30, 2023

Fern Snell Moore Kocherhans passed away in Mesa, Arizona, on November 30, 2023.

She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Golden Charles Snell and Ellen Madelyn Brennan on June 2, 1931.  

Her life included two marriages that each lasted more than 30 years. The first marriage was to Uel Hoffman Moore on March 9, 1950. They were married in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Cowley across the street from her parents. Together they had four daughters, Diane Moore, Terri (Bob) Flaherty, Robin Moore and Annette (Tony) Marlar. 

After the birth of their last child, Fern was ill. She even went blind for a spell. They went to the Mayo Clinic, where she was diagnosed with MS. 

In the late sixties, they moved to Billings. Uel served as a counselor to several church mission presidents, so there were many weekend trips across the state, and they always had missionaries come for dinner in their home. In the early 70s, they were advised that the Arizona climate would be better for her health and the MS. After a few years, they moved back to Billings. Uel died in Billings on July 12, 1982. 

Fern moved back to Arizona, where she found herself reacquainting with an old friend she had known from high school in Cowley. In their youth, Jay lived in nearby Lovell. He had recently lost his wife. On April 11, 1985, she married C. Jay Kocherhans. They served together as missionaries in the Illinois Peoria Mission. They enjoyed the good company of many friends and had a lot of fun together for the next 31 years until Jay died in Mesa on July 7, 2016. 

Fernie, as she liked to be called, was always active in the church and had a very strong testimony for the gospel. She didn’t let the MS stop her from living life. She loved to bake, sing and direct the choir. She served as a temple worker in the Mesa Temple for 20 years. She enjoyed reading and writing. 

She was diligent in keeping a journal for the majority of her life. Sometimes it was just the mundane happenings of the day. Sometimes she wrote about the tragic events or trials that touched her life. She loved sharing sayings and thoughts she would come across. “Look at the candy cane, what do you see? Stripes that are red, Like the blood shed for me. White for my Savior who’s sinless and pure. “J” is for Jesus, my Lord, that’s for sure! Turn it upside down and a staff you will see! Jesus, my Shepherd was born for me!” 

She loved the Lord and knew of all the blessings that He had bestowed on her and her family. 

Fernie was the last of her siblings to leave this existence. She loved and missed her three older sisters, Joy Webb, Ellen Smith and JoAnn Paulson, and a younger brother, Golden C. Snell Jr. 

Today I am praying for the star that will light my way.