Fern Vatthauer of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023 surrounded by her loving family at Hillcrest Senior Living in Red Lake Falls, MN.
Memorial service for Fern will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Pastor Trey Everett officiating. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Fern Shirley Johnson was born August 7, 1928 in McIntosh, MN daughter of Fred and Selma (Brokke) Johnson. She was raised in McIntosh area and graduated from High School there and attended normal teacher’s training in Red Lake Falls, MN. It was there she met the love of her life on a blind date, arranged by Clarence’s best friend. Fern was a teacher in a one room country school near Hutchinson, MN.
Fern was united in marriage to Clarence Vatthauer on October 2, 1949 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in McIntosh, MN. To this union five children were born Calvin, Julie, Ellen, David and William. The couple made their home near Red Lake Falls where she was employed by Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls, MN, St. John’s Hospital in Red Lake Falls, MN until it closed in 1985, the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston and Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Fern was a foster grandma at St. Joseph’s School in Red Lake Falls. She enjoyed cross country skiing, playing Kings in the Corner and going for car rides with David. Fern was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and women’s group in Red Lake Falls, the Swedish Club in Warren, MN, and the Red Hat Society. Clarence and Fern were chosen the first Ag Couple of Red Lake Falls in 1986.
Fern is survived by her children Calvin (Cindy) Vatthauer of Seymour, IN, Julie (Terry) Ford of Council Bluffs, IA, Ellen Green Luthi of Superior, WI, David Vatthauer of Red Lake Falls, MN and Bill (Janell) Vatthauer of Crookston, MN; grandchildren Tera (Kevin), Missy (Darrin), Aaron (Chelsey), Abby (Brad), Molly, Brooke (Cole) and Travis (Shelby); great-grandchildren Abe, Dalton, Wyatt, Everett, Mckenzie, Mckayla, Axxel, Charlie, Braxton, Brock, Lyla, Colt, Lennon, Reid, and one due in November. One nephew Ole Johnson, foster-sister Sonja Lippai. Brother-in-law Don Vatthauer, sister-in-law Theresa Vatthauer, sister-in-law Connie Vatthauer along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Fern is preceded in death by her husband Clarence, parents Fred and Selma Johnson, brothers Ray and Roy. May the memory of Fern be blessed.
