Fern Vanderford

Fern Vanderford, age 95, of Blue Earth, formerly of Elmore, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2020 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth. 
Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11 AM at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore with Rev. Robert Roettger officiating. Visitation one-hour prior. Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery also in Elmore.  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic guidelines and restrictions, masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced.  Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth is entrusted with arrangements. www.PattonFh.com

Fern Phyllis was born on November 14, 1925 to Otto and Rose (Lavitschke) Behnke in Mapleton.  She was one of 7 children..  She married Jim Ward.  To this union 4 sons were born, They later Divorced.  She then married Duane Vanderford on January 3, 1966. She gained 3 Daughters through this union. Their family was completed with the birth of their daughter Kathy.  Fern enjoyed gardening and cooking. She was a member of the church circle and bible study group. She worked for Telex Communications in Blue Earth.  Above all her love for family and friends was always first in her mind and heart. Fern is survived by her husband (three days shy of 66 years), Duane Vanderford of Blue Earth; sons Harlan (Carol) Ward of Le Seur and Gordon (Sharon) Ward of Mankato; daughters, Debbie (Earl) Kvittem of Winona, Dixie (David) Ruppert of Winona, Darlys (Bob) Krulish of Rochester and Kathy (David) Neswold of Stewartville; brother, Dale (Pam) Behnke of Mapleton; sister Bonnie Schultz of Mapleton; numerous grandchildren; several great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Fern is preceded in death by her sons, Gene and Roger Ward; siblings ,Duane Behnke, Robert Behnke, Mavis Treanor and Ivadell Armstrong.