Fern Ida (Blomgren) Schmauss

Fern Ida Schmauss, age 94, of Cresco, IA,  died on Thursday,  August 24th, 2017, at Hawkeye Care Center in Cresco, IA. 

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cresco, IA with Pastor Elaine Siemsen officiating.  Burial will be held in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Cresco, IA.  Visitation from 12:00-2:00 PM before the service at the church.  The Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, 404 N Elm Street Cresco, IA is assisting the family.

Fern (Blomgren) Schmauss was born on a farm near Cresco on January 19, 1923.  She grew up on the family farm with her three brothers and three sisters.  Fern was proud to be the only one in her family able to graduate from high school.  During World War II, Fern remained on the family farm and helped in any way she could to ensure that the farm was successful.

On November 21, 1945 Fern married Frederick J. Schmauss at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.  Fern and Frederick farmed for many years near Lime Springs until they retired to Cresco.  Fern worked hard to raise her children; she also helped to care for nieces and nephews when needed.  She was involved in the daily operation of the farm putting in long hours to care for the livestock and milking cows.

Fern and Frederick had 4 children – Judy, Bonnie, David and Phyllis.  Fern has 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Fern loved to garden, growing many vegetables to can and freeze for the family.  She especially enjoyed her flower garden with its beautiful blooms in a wide array of colors.   In the summer, the garden was always a bright spot along the road between Lime Springs and Cresco.  She continued that love for gardening even after retiring to Cresco.

After retiring from farm life, Fern became involved with the Girl Scouts and served as a leader for many years.  She became a member and supporter of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary for many years.

Although there weren’t nearly enough opportunities, Fern liked to travel and see different parts of the country.  Fern had numerous hobbies over the years.  She enjoyed cross stitch, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, embroidery, and crocheting.  Fern crocheted more than 500 afghans with some of the afghans going to family members and the rest she donated to charities.  In the last few years Fern enjoyed adult coloring books, bingo and playing Farkle with family.

Family has always been important to Fern and she treated everyone she knew as though they were family.

Fern’s family includes her children, Judy Schmauss of Cresco, Bonnie (Duane) Peter of Georgetown, Texas, David (Barb) Schmauss of Eagle Grove, Iowa and Phyllis (Tom) Stevenson of Cresco; grandchildren  Douglas, Julianne, Jasmine, Daniel, Kevin, Kyle, Malissa, April, Bradley and Joseph; great-grandchildren, Kier, Nilayah, Naser, Nadia, Naila, Victoria, Hunter, Logan, Jocelyn, Sawyer, Tymberlyn, Tatum, Thomas, James, Joshua, Rebekah, Haley, Olivia, Blake, Lathan, Brooklyn and Frederick; and great-great children Alexis, Zoey and Ayden. One sister Violet Pederson of Mabel, MN.  As well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick J. Schmauss, her parents Elmer and Ida Blomgren, three brothers Harold, Marvin and Lyle Blomgren, two sisters Gladys Hart and Lillian Bujan and one “granddaughter” Amanda Peterson.

In memory of Fern, donations may be made to the local American Heart Association, local American Diabetes Association, or a local charity of the donor’s choice.

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