Fern Leone Horan

In Memory OfFERN L. HORANFern Leone Horan, of Friend, died Tuesday, October 5, 2004, at the Friend Manor in Friend at the age of 91 years 8 months and 5 days. She was born January 30, 1913 in Dorchester, Nebraska to Frederick W. and Edna Eliza (Scott) Kleinholz, the oldest of three children. As a young girl she attended Green Meadows country school and later graduated from Dorchester High School. Fern then taught a country school for two years before her marriage to Lester H. Horan on May 25, 1932 on her parent's farm near Dorchester. To this union three children, Loretta, James and Doris were born. Together they farmed near Dorchester until 1937 when they moved to California. Fern worked in a tile factory in California until 1944 when they returned to Nebraska and made their home near Beaver Crossing. For several years they farmed a small acreage selling the vegetables and crops. Fern also worked in the tomato cannery, candled eggs for Millers Produce Station and was a part owner of "Mom's Caf?" all in Beaver Crossing. In 1955, they moved to Friend and she opened the first flower shop in Friend known as "Fern's Flower Shop" which she operated until 1970. For five years they were the caretaker at Burden farms, near Union, and managed a resort in Minnesota in the summer. Fern is remembered by her family as being a very creative, especially in finding things to keep her grandchildren busy. She was always adventurous, and caring for and about others. She was known for her suet pudding and kolache's. Fern was always making special things for her family that fit the time, tie died shirts, macram? hangers and belts, and made cakes with special treats baked inside. When Fern retired she continued her many hobbies, especially crocheting. She also kept busy helping with phones and visitations at Moore's Funeral Home and later for Lauber-Moore Funeral Home. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Loretta and Donald Goebel, Grass Valley CA, Doris Schmit, Beaver Crossing, 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 14 step-great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester, son, James, grandson, Mark Powell, a sister, Phyllis Ahlschwede, and a brother, Frederick Kleinholz and a son-in-law, Paul Schmit.A Graveside Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October, 9, 2004, at Dorchester Cemetery, Dorchester, NE. Cremation, no visitation. Register book available for signing 9am-5pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend. Memorials are established and may be directed in care of the family.