FERN GARDING obituary

STEVENSVILLE Fern Erma Garding, 81, of Stevensville died Saturday, March 3, 2007, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

Rosary will be recited at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Thursday at 7 p.m. A second rosary will be recited at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home in Havre on Friday at 7 p. m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Havre on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. followed by graveside services at Highland Cemetery. A luncheon will be at St. Jude's Social Hall in Havre. Fern was born Fern Erma Nefzger on Oct. 13, 1925, to Charles Henry and Katherine “Katie” (McFarlane) Nefzger in Wolf Point. Fern grew up on a homestead near Vida. She graduated from Wolf Point High School and attended Northern Montana College in Havre. She moved to the Cottonwood community, north of Havre, where she taught at the rural school. She met Adolph Garding and the couple married in Havre on Feb. 14, 1946. Fern and Adolph owned and operated Garding's Campground near Fort Assiniboine south of Havre for several years. Fern raised her children, sold home made baked goods and eventually worked as a store clerk and retired from JCPenney. She was active with the Catholic Daughters, the VFW Auxiliary and was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Havre. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing, especially if it was for one of her loved ones. Fern was preceded by her husband, Adolph Joseph Garding on May 2, 1992; sons, Richard Darwin and Patrick Allen; daughter, Shirley Ann; siblings, Boyde Henry, Leta Faye, Iva Baneta, Homer Charles, Zella Katherine, Geneva Irene, Buelah Avery, Brenda Marion, Donald Deane and Ruth Edith. Survivors include her children, Joseph Rae (Lily) Garding of Maricopa, Ariz., Jerry Lee Garding of Whitefish, David Charles (Mary Beth) Garding of Helena, Robert John (Lori) Garding of Stevensville and Phillip Dean (Dianne) Garding of North Bend, Wash.; brother, Bobbie James of Vida; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials can be made to Ravalli County Council on Aging, 310 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton, MT 59840. The Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville is in charge of arrangements.