Fern Jennings, 87, creator of the “Happy Hoofers” senior tap dance group, passed away March 9, 2018 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born and educated in Duluth, Minnesota, she was one of only five girls in her junior college in the late 40s. The college made them the school cheerleaders when their team played in the JC Rose Bowl game in Pasadena. Fern worked for 20 years in the Duluth Probate Court system and polished her legal secretarial skills. She then accepted a position with New York’s Paul Weiss and Associates Law Firm for another decade. Already a Nevada vacation home-owner, she moved to Las Vegas following the death of her husband Edward, president of the Sunshine Biscuit Company and a World War II veteran. She quickly became involved in volunteer community service organizations and senior tap dance classes, spinning off the costumed Happy Hoofers senior tap group, working in conjunction with VFW Post 1753 and later American Legion Post 8. The Happy Hoofers performed at nursing homes, retirement homes, veteran’s events, civic affairs, hotels, casinos, and even for tourists at McCarran Airport. After Edward’s funeral, Fern discovered a shoebox of letters written by him to his mother, detailing his military adventures from basic training through the invasion of France and into Germany, which she published as “Your Loving Son, Ed”. She donated the book’s proceeds to benefit veterans. She is survived by and will be deeply missed by Edward’s son and granddaughter, Ted and Alisha; her shelter dog, Tootsie; and literally scores, if not hundreds, of loving, caring and genuine friends, fellow entertainers and applauding audience members. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:00am at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas, NV. Burial will follow at Palm Valley View Cemetery (the adjacent property). King David Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.
