Bernice "Bernie" Ilene (Fairman) Nagata

Bernice “Bernie” Ilene (Fairman) Nagata, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 11, 2025, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community. She was under the care of her loving husband and BRiO Home Health and Hospice.

Bernie was born on August 25, 1944, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, to Bernard Ralph Fairman and Mildred Willavene (Elgin) Fairman. Bernard was a tipple foreman at the Ernest Coal Mine near Indiana. Mildred was a housewife. Bernie was the eldest of four children. Her brothers are Frederic, Robert, and Ronald.

At about eight years of age, Bernie decided she wanted to be a nurse. To that end, she attended Clearfield School of Nursing in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1965. In 1969, she met Peter Nagata in Pittsburgh. They were married in 1971. Out of this union came Paul and Michael.

In 1976, Peter and Bernie moved to Idaho Falls where Peter was employed by the National Reactor Test Station (now Idaho National Laboratory). With the exception of about 21 months, they have lived in Idaho Falls for about 49 years.

Bernie “retired” from nursing in 1976. She was the office manager at Hope Lutheran Church for about 13 years. Bernie retired in 2001, then did volunteer work at New Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church for another 17 years. She was noted as a reliable, sweet person, who went out of her way to help those in need.

Bernie enjoyed fishing, but she especially cherished being with her children and grandchildren.

Bernie is survived by her husband, Peter; brothers, Fredric (Dolores), Robert (Emma), and Ronald (LuRetta). She is also survived by her sons, Paul (Cynthia) and Michael (Pamela); and two grandsons, Joshua and Jacob.

The Nagata family would like to thank BRiO Home Health and Hospice for their care of Bernie. Life Care Center personnel also cared for Bernie. Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community personnel made sure Bernie was comfortable in her last months.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with Reverend David Bass officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. and Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services. Both visitations will be held at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Haven, 2480 S. Yellowstone Hwy, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.