Fern Ward

Fern Elizabeth (Osborn) Ward, 96, of Breckenridge, MN, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Nursing Home in Breckenridge on Saturday, July 15, 2018. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Valley Christian Church in Breckenridge with the visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Francis Nursing Home or Valley Christian Church are preferred.

Fern Elizabeth (Osborn) Ward born on a farm in LaMars Township, near Fairmont, ND, on October 5, 1921, to George and Lottie (Funk) Osborn. Fern grew up and attended school in LaMars Township and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1939.

On October 15, 1940, Fern married Clarence Ward at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, MN. Shortly after their marriage, they lived in Oklahoma while Clarence served in the Navy and eventually moved back to Breckenridge where they were blessed with five children. After 61 years together, Clarence passed away in 2001 and in Fern’s later years, she resided at York Manor in Breckenridge for a short time. Most recently, Fern lived at St. Francis Nursing Home. Fern was a devout member of Valley Christian Church in Breckenridge and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Fern was a loving homemaker who enjoyed writing letters, sending cards on special occasions, and scrapbook until she became older. Also, she enjoyed canning and freezing the produce that Clarence would raise and gather from the garden. Fern had a heart for others and enriched the lives of those she visited at the local nursing homes and hospitals. More importantly, her joy and love came from Jesus, her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all their spouses. Fern and Clarence were immensely blessed by the gift of their family and they cherished how much they were loved and cared for throughout the years.

Fern is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Don) Abfalter, and their children and their families, Jami (Dan) Stack, John, Eric and Katelyn Stack; her daughter Colleen (Roger) Hanson, and their children and their families, Chris (Lucinda), Grace, Maggie and Charlie Hanson; her son, Lanny (Jackie) Ward, and their children and their families, Danny Ward, Andrea (Chris), Blake, and Bryce Krueger; her son, David (Linda) Ward and their children and their families, Nicole (Todd) Busch, Michael Geffre, Taylor, Megan, Savannah and Claire Busch, Heather Ward and her son Leo Ward, Amanda (Travis) Rupp, Chet, Hank Rupp, and Michelle Ward; her son, Mark (Joanie) Ward, and their children and their families, Jennifer (Chris) Meyer, Alex, Hunter and Samantha Meyer, Justin (Heather), Noah and Kenzie Ward, Alicia (Bryce) Peltier; her sister, Arlene Brovald; her sister-in-Law, Betty Osborn; and many nieces and nephews.

Fern is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Ward; her parents, George and Lottie Osborn; her stepmother, Maude Osborn; her brothers, Everett, baby Willard, Orval, John Wesly, Leonard, and Wayne; her sister, Myrtle Kruschke; her brothers-in-law, Orville Kruschke and Ken Brovald; her sisters-in-law, Clara Osborn and Mildred Osborn; and her great-granddaughter, Ella Herr.