(photo)

Fern Myrtle Rohde

March 1, 1931 - June 22, 2023

Myrtle was born March 1, 1931, on a farm near Loretto, Nebraska to Dewey M. and Alma (Schelstede) Stevenson. She attended Nebraska public schools in Greeley, Bartlett, and Colfax Counties, graduating from Kramer High School in Columbus, Nebraska in 1948 and from Chillicothe Business College, in Chillicothe, Missouri.

She worked at Becton Dickinson until her marriage to John (Jack) W. Rohde in December 1952. They were blessed with three children; Mark, Steven, and Anne. Jack served in the US Air Force, together they were stationed and lived in Texas, California, Kansas, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and England. Following Jack's retirement from the Air Force they settled in Columbus, Nebraska where she worked as a parish secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church for more than 17 years.

After Jack's retirement, she served on the Trinity Council and various volunteer service areas. She was a member of the Columbus Area Arts Council and a docent at the Columbus Library Art Gallery. Jack and Fern enjoyed many adventures traveling the world after their retirement.

Following the passing of her husband in 2008 she moved to Ord, Nebraska to be closer to her daughter. She lived at Grandview Assisted Living Facility for 7 years where she made many dear friends. Later in her life, she moved to Shepard's Village Assisted Living in Blair, Nebraska. Fern had many hobbies and talents including painting, gardening, and building. She once built an entire cabin by herself without power tools. As a grandma, she always was creating adventures in even the simplest of moments. She had unwavering faith and everyone around her was touched by her positive attitude, wit, and sense of humor. Her smile was contagious, she was loved by anyone that met her.

Fern Myrtle Rohde, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Shepherd's Village Assisted Living in Blair, Nebraska on June 22, 2023. Memorials services will be Thursday June 29, 2023 at 11:00AM at First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will also be held in the Columbus, Nebraska Cemetery at 3:00PM.

She is survived by two of her children, Steven Eric Rohde and Anne (Lonny) Clausen, daughter-in-law Zena Rohde, and four grandchildren John (Nancy) Rohde, Jennifer (Mike) Hiebner, Naomi (Luke) Olson, and Nolan (Darrien) Clausen, and a sister, Violet (Robert) Thielen, nieces and nephews. Ten great-grandchildren and many great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, John W. Rohde, and son Mark Rohde.

Memorials may be directed to Peaceful Hearts Hospice or the Arbor Day Foundation.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home in service to the family.

In Loving Memory of Fern Myrtle Rohde

Born March 1, 1931 Loretto, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest June 22, 2023 Blair, Nebraska

Memorial Service 11am Thursday, June 29, 2023 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Rod Hansen P.M.A. Organist: Clare Cowing. Musical Selections: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "This is My Father's World", "Amazing Grace"

Honorary Pallbearers: Jen Hiebner, Naomi Olson, Nolan Clausen, John Rohde

Urn Interment: Columbus Cemetery, Columbus, Nebraska

Memorials may be directed to Peaceful Hearts Hospice or the Arbor Day Foundation

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #255863751