Fern Marie (Russell) Wills, 83, of Curtis, died peacefully Nov. 12, 2012, at Hilltop Estates after a long illness.
The daughter of Benjamin Sr. and Ellen (Jenson) Russell, Fern was born Nov. 22, 1928, north of Curtis. She graduated from NSA high school in Curtis, earning a teaching certification. She was offered a teaching position in Ekalaka, Mo., shortly after graduation, where she taught with her good friend Verna Lee Kettleman. Upon completion of her contract in Ekalaka, she returned home and taught for the Stockville School District for several years. Fern married Leslie “Deac” Wills on Nov. 26, 1952, in a double wedding with their best friends, Hilda and Lloyd “Gus” Wolgamott. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Monte Marie, Sandra Lynn, Russell Corwin and Gary Merle.
After her children were all in school, Fern worked at several jobs, including selling Playhouse Toys, proofreading and subscription sales at the Highline Enterprise, and cooking and driving school bus at Medicine Valley High School. Fern especially enjoyed her time with her bus kids, both on route and activity trips.
Fern was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Curtis and was active in Methodist Women, Vacation Bible School and Congregational Care. Fern’s strong faith and willingness to serve was instilled in her children at an early age.
Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Deac; her parents, Ben and Ellen Russell; and her brothers and sisters, Robert Russell, Nita Anderson, Ben Russell Jr. and June McGinnis.
She is survived by her children, Monte (Val) Kotrous, of Houston, Texas, Sandy Wills, Rusty (Shelly) Wills and Gary (Vivian) Wills, all of Curtis; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Tom Russell, Anna May Gorley, Raymond (Donna) Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church, 402 Center Curtis, NE 69025 or Medicine Valley Foundation. To sign the online guest book, go to blasestrauser.com.
Services will be at 10 a.m., today, at the First United Methodist Church, Curtis, with pastor Bonnie Forney officiating. Interment will follow at the Curtis Cemetery.
Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, is in charge of arrangements.