Fern Wilson

Fern Maxine Hane Wilson was born April 23, 1920 in Jasper, Miss. to Charlie Hane and Trola Wood Hane. Fern was raised in Lanesboro and Paton, Iowa, graduating from Paton High School in 1938. Following graduation, she worked as a housekeeper for several Jefferson families.

On Jan. 14, 1942, Fern was united in marriage to Elmo Dale Wilson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple made their home west of Spring Lake, where they farmed.  They became the parents of four daughters: Carol, Roberta, Mary and Kathryn.  

Fern and Elmo bought a farm west of Cooper and lived and farmed there most of their lives. Elmo passed away on Sept. 14, 1988. Fern moved to Jefferson in 1994 and then moved to the Long Term Care Unit of the Greene County Medical Center in 2007.

Fern was a homemaker. She did lots of cooking and canning, and she enjoyed gardening. She was an avid reader and a proficient embroiderer. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson for over 50 years.

Fern passed away Sept. 27 in Jefferson at the age of 94 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmo; sons-in-law, Ron Zwicky and Werner Funcke; and brothers: Glen (Helen) Hane, Lloyd Hane, and Ralph Hane.

Survivors include four daughters: Carol Zwicky of Jefferson; Roberta (Charles) Crain of Oxford, Ohio; Mary (Dennis) Jordan of Jefferson, and Kathryn Funcke of Jefferson; a sister, Norma (Donald) Hiddleson of Perry; sister-in-law, Mardell Hane of Perry; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Slinniger-Rossow Funeral Home, www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.