Louise Fernkopf 1924-2015
Louise Irene Fernkopf, 90, of Holton, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at Holton Community Hospital, where she had been for less than a day. Due to her failing health, she had resided with her daughters, Anna and Mary, for the past year.
She was born March 24, 1924, near Holton, the daughter of John M. and Hazel Ray Schlodder.
Louise attended the Hazel Grove Grade School. She was an active member of the Parallel 4-H Club and Christian Endeavor of the Pleasant Grove United Brethren Church. She graduated from Wetmore Rural High School, receiving a normal training teacher certificate. She taught school at Pea Ridge and Circleville Elementary schools.
She volunteered as a primary Sunday School teacher at the Pleasant Grove United Brethren and Circleville United Methodist churches for a total of 14 years. She served as an officer and did volunteer duties for the Recreation Club and Senior Executives of Circleville, the Jackson Heights Endowment Board, and the Jackson County Historical Society.
Louise was a board member of the Circleville Elementary School District for nine years, and member of the Jackson County School Board Association. She retired as clerk of the Jackson Heights School District on Dec. 31, 1985, after 20 years of service.
She was a member of the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton.
Louise made more than 100 quilts for her family, made hundreds of crocheted items, and especially enjoyed making felt Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Louise married Clyde Fernkopf on Feb. 11, 1949, in Holton. He died June 13, 1968. She was also preceded in death by her parents in March of 1968; a daughter, Neva Fraley, on Aug. 14, 2011; and a brother, Johnny Schlodder, in 2004.
Survivors include her daughters, Anna Wilhelm and husband Virgil, Holton, and Mary Boyles and husband Steve, Topeka; her sons, John Fernkopf and wife Jane, Topeka, and Fred Fernkopf and wife Sheila, Holton; her son-in-law, Arcle Fraley, Topeka, and her sister, Mary Ann Nissen, Wetmore. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Wilhelm, Edwardsville, Ill., Eric Wilhelm, Portland, Ore., Brad Boyles, Oak View, Mo., Barry Boyles, Topeka, Mark, Paul and Carl Fernkopf, Topeka, Jolene Bextel, Rose Hill, Brandy Fraley, Topeka, Sherri Farwell, and David Fernkopf, Topeka; 10 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; one foster great-grandchild; and seven nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Holton Community Hospital Hospice for their caring support this past month.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in Holton Cemetery. Louise will lie in state until service time at the funeral home. The casket will remain closed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jackson Heights Endowment Fund, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. Online condolences may be sent to chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
