Fern O. Stigge

Fern Opal Stigge, 97, died Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Linn Community Nursing Home, Linn, KS. Visitation was Thursday, February 18, from 4 until 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 19 at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn. Pastor David Gruoner and Pastor Rodney Fritz officiated. Eunice Beier played the organ while Eldean Adam sang “The King of Love, My Shepherd Is”. The congregation sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, “Jesus Lead Thou On”, and “For All the Saints”. The pallbearers were Jim Burks, John Auty, Dr. Doug Stigge, David Schauer, Howard Jackson, and Scott Vathauer. Burial was in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Barnes. Fern was born on October 28, 1918 in her parents’ home near Bodaville, KS, the daughter of Alvin and Christina (Wichman) Wohler. She was confirmed as an adult at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Barnes. She attended Barnes High School and graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1938. Fern attended six weeks of Normal Training and then taught in a one room school until she married. On December 3, 1942, she was united in holy matrimony with Victor A. Stigge in Greenleaf, KS. The Lord blessed their marriage with two children, Barbara and Sharon. Fern was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Barnes. Her husband was in the Armed Forces and they moved around to many places in the early years of their marriage. She and her husband lived on a farm south of Barnes for many years. She enjoyed her large gardens, farm life and the outdoors. Fern moved to Linn in July, 1988. In Linn, she helped with crafts in the Linn Community Nursing Home, playing cards and board games. She was an avid KU Basketball fan. Also, she loved to visit her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include her two daughters, Barbara Schauer and husband, Rev. Arthur Schauer, Seward, NE, Sharon Adam and husband Eldean, Harbine, NE; four grandchildren, Kristal (John) Auty, Dallas, TX, Kimberly Schauer, Rochester, MN, David (Sarah) Schauer, Omaha, NE and Tamera Adam, Omaha, NE; four great grandchildren, Olivia, Marshall, and Bennett Schauer and Clara Auty; brother, Jerome (Jan) Wohler, Topeka; sister, Ila (Bob) Logan, Concordia; sister-in-law, Phyllis Wohler, Topeka; good friend, Nancy Lehman, Linn; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Victor; brother, Orville Wohler; three sisters, Wilma Jackson, Leona Burks, and Betty Koch; and two infant granddaughters, Angela and Caroline Schauer. A memorial fund has been established to Lutheran Hour, Zion Lutheran Church or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington, KS. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fern O. Stigge, please visit our flower store.