Ferne was born December 8th, 1918 to Nelson and Clara Fisher in Loup City, Nebraska. Her mother died of the 1918 flu epidemic, just a few days after Ferne was born. She was adopted and raised by her grandparents, John and Minnie Fisher and grew up with her aunts and uncles as “siblings.”
Ferne received her education in Loup City and graduated early from the local high school in 1936. She then went on to marry the “love of her life,” Donald A. Watkins, on July 17th, 1937 in Red Cloud, Nebraska. In 1939, their 1st son, “Donnie” was born on January 23rd. In 1940, Ferne, Don and their new son moved from Loup City, Nebraska to Seattle, Washington where there 2nd son, “Bobbie” was born on July 13th, 1942. Then on to Pasco, living there for a short time. In 1946, they moved to the Yakima area where they purchased a farm and orchard in Selah, living there until they bought a house in Yakima at the end of 1950. They moved into their new home in the dead of winter while pregnant with their 3rd child, Georgia Lynn, born that spring, April 28th, 1951.
Ferne had always been a homemaker. She was a loving mother and wife, she made the best pies and rolls. Summertime brought on family picnics and BBQ’s. She enjoyed cooking, doing her own canning, sewing, gardening, crafts, golf, bowling, dancing and many outdoor sports. She had been a member of the Selah Eagles Auxiliary #3953, Good Sam Club (Sunshine Sam’s), Holiday Rambler Travel Club, Blue Jeans Garden Club and Yakima Garden Club. She was also a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts and later a Blue Bird Leader.
After her husband Don retired from his business, they travelled south together almost every year, usually ending up in Yuma, Arizona for the winter, becoming “Snow Birds.”
Ferne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Yakima (now known as Grace of Christ). She became a Presbyterian member at the age of 12 in Loup City, Nebraska where she was born and raised.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Donald A., her two sons, Donald D. and Robert (Bob) L. Watkins, her birth parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all her brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving sibling of her generation.
Lynn, her daughter, was her caregiver for the past 16 years, right up to her passing. A special thanks to Hospice and Cottage in the Meadow for the wonderful assistance and thoughtful care they gave to Ferne and her family as she transitioned to the Lord.
Survivors include a daughter, Georgia Lynn Bell, of Yakima, daughters-in-law, Charlene Watkins of Sebastian, Florida, Paulette Watkins of Yakima; 8 grandchildren, Kimberly Harty of Richland, Laurie Patrick of Wenatchee, Kenny Watkins of Yakima, Lorraine Glisson of Spokane, Ricky Watkins of Vero Beach, Florida, Lisa Baxter of Yakima, Jolene Hartill of Astoria, Oregon and Jarrod Bell of Yakima; numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
You will be missed Mom, Grandma and Aunt, but we all know you are at peace and with God and your loved ones again.
At Ferne’s request, please make any memorial donations to the charity of your choice or to Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 30th, 2018 at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 31st, 2018 also at the Funeral Home. Concluding services will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Ferne visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.
