Fern E. Keith

Fern E. Keith, age 86, Moorhead, Minn., died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2011, in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, Minn.

Fern Elva Heydon, the ninth of 10 children born to Elmer and Effie (Taplin) Heydon, was born Aug. 26, 1924, on the family farm near Joplin, Mont. She grew up and received her education in Joplin.

On Dec. 28, 1945, Fern married her childhood sweetheart, Alvin R. Keith, while he was home on leave from the U. S. Navy. The family lived in Chester, Mont., and in Havre, Mont., until 1969, when they moved to Grand Forks, N.D. After her husband, Alvin, died on July 19, 2003, Fern moved to Moorhead, where she had lived since.

Fern was an energetic homemaker and a devoted wife and mother. She was a very positive person, had a quick mind, and an avid sense of humor. She was happiest when surrounded by family and was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her special interests were jigsaws puzzles, pinochle and country music.

Fern is survived by a son, Gene (Mary) Keith of McDermitt, Nev. ; daughters, Jane Fern (Ricky) Smith of Moorhead, and Sharlot (Darrel) Gebert, of O'Fallon, Ill. ; 11 grandchildren, Kris, Andy, Tori, Malinda, Darren, Michael, Amanda, Adam, Scott, Dennis and Daniel; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents; and nine siblings.

Funeral services were 10:30 a. m. today at Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead, with visitation prior to the funeral. Express condolences at the online guestbook: http://www.korsmofuneralservice.com.

Fern E. Keith, age 86, Moorhead, Minn., died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2011, in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, Minn.

Fern Elva Heydon, the ninth of 10 children born to Elmer and Effie (Taplin) Heydon, was born Aug. 26, 1924, on the family farm near Joplin, Mont. She grew up and received her education in Joplin.

On Dec. 28, 1945, Fern married her childhood sweetheart, Alvin R. Keith, while he was home on leave from the U. S. Navy. The family lived in Chester, Mont., and in Havre, Mont., until 1969, when they moved to Grand Forks, N.D. After her husband, Alvin, died on July 19, 2003, Fern moved to Moorhead, where she had lived since.

Fern was an energetic homemaker and a devoted wife and mother. She was a very positive person, had a quick mind, and an avid sense of humor. She was happiest when surrounded by family and was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her special interests were jigsaws puzzles, pinochle and country music.

Fern is survived by a son, Gene (Mary) Keith of McDermitt, Nev. ; daughters, Jane Fern (Ricky) Smith of Moorhead, and Sharlot (Darrel) Gebert, of O'Fallon, Ill. ; 11 grandchildren, Kris, Andy, Tori, Malinda, Darren, Michael, Amanda, Adam, Scott, Dennis and Daniel; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents; and nine siblings.

Funeral services were 10:30 a. m. today at Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead, with visitation prior to the funeral. Express condolences at the online guestbook: www.korsmofuneralservice.com.