Fern F. Buerkle
Fern F. Buerkle, 84, of Aberdeen, SD, died Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.
Fern Fay Buerkle was born December 5, 1939, to Hulda (Dickhoff) and Lucas Moldenhauer on the family farm in McIntosh County, North Dakota. She grew up on the farm and went to country school, where they were reminded to speak English instead of German. As a farm girl, she learned the value of hard work and determination. Nine loaves of bread were baked each day to feed the large family of eight girls and eight boys. There was never a dull moment. The boys teased and played tricks on the girls, and the children invented their own fun, such as rolling down the hills in tractor tires.
On June 1, 1959, Fern married Curtis Buerkle. They first lived on the farm with his parents southeast of Kulm, North Dakota, and then moved to their own farm nearby. When living on the farm, their daughters CrysoLyn and Celeste were born. The family moved into Kulm in 1970, where Fern and Curtis ran the city liquor store and then opened Fern’s Department store, where they sold clothing and other dry goods. In 1974, they moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota. Shortly after, Fern began employment as a CNA at Manor Care (now Prairie Heights) nursing home. She retired as a CNA in 2013 at the age of 74.
Fern enjoyed traveling. She visited her daughter, Celeste, many times in Florida and traveled with her sisters to Branson, Missouri, Washington, DC, and Germany. She loved playing cards and games, joining her friends at the Carlyle apartments every weekend for Pokeno. The highlight at Christmastime was for the family to gather and play the dice game for presents. Fern maintained that she never cheated at the dice game, although all of the grand and great grandkids knew better. In addition to cards, Fern loved to embroider and embroidered many sets of dish towels for family and friends. She also enjoyed making jelly and gardening and her pickles were beloved by many.
Additionally, everyone in the family looked forward to their birthday meal of chicken and dumplings and to her peach pies at family gatherings. Above all, Fern loved her family and was always there to lend a helping hand or a caring ear. She particularly enjoyed helping with her three young great-grandchildren and babysat whenever she could.
Grateful for sharing her life are her two daughters CrysoLyn (Daryl) Van Dover and Celeste (Jeff) Voigt. Grandchildren Rebecca (Jason) Munsch, Gary Van Dover, Michael (Alisha) Centenaro, and Joshua Centenaro. Great-grandchildren Samus, Lucas, and Marcus Munsch, and Lily Sitter Centenaro, and Ava and Ray Centenaro. Sister Gloria Teske and brother Jerry (Denise) Moldenhauer.
Preceding Fern in death are her parents Hulda and Lucas Moldenhauer, her sisters Grace, Phyllis, Jacqueline, Deborah, Mavis, and Angela, and her brothers Vernon, Myron, Donovan, Dennis, Lamont, Dwight, and Curtis.