Fern E. Kiese

With an unwavering faith as her constant companion, Fern Kiese exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. She was gracious and gentle with unconditional love that was abundantly given to all who were within her reach. A more devoted wife and mother would be hard to find, but Fern just may have argued that it was her role as a grandmother that was her richest reward. As her family and friends can attest, she was a fantastic cook who saw to it that no one ever left her table hungry. A blessing to those around her, Fern will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished by those too numerous to count.The Roaring Twenties brought us some of the most exciting days we have ever seen as a nation as innovation was taking us places we had never been. With radios, washing machines, and refrigerators among the noteworthy advances made in our daily lives the decade was primarily a prosperous one. Amidst this exciting time Walter and Elna (Mueller) Blum were filled with great anticipation as they awaited the arrival of their new baby as the heat of the summer covered the city of Fountain City, Wisconsin in 1926. The big day finally arrived on August 21st when the baby girl they named Fern drew her first breath. She was one of seven children in her family, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sisters, Betty Ann, Mary, and Darlene, and her brothers, Earl, Ralph, and Robert.In many ways Fern was a young woman of her generation. She attended local schools, walking four miles each way, however, she did surprise her children by admitting that she got buggy rides part way on occasion. The Blum family lived a very minimalistic lifestyle with no running water and only outdoor plumbing and bathrooms. Without much money, they also survived by regularly eating lard sandwiches. Fern attended local schools, but only through the eighth grade as she left school to work in town, sending her money home to help make ends meet within the family. She always regretted not going far enough in school to become a teacher, however, she taught her children countless things throughout her entire life.New and exciting changes were in store for Fern when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Harold Kiese, and they met while roller skating. Truth be told, Fern was a bit smitten with him when he helped fix her skate. In the days that followed he kept an eye out for him, and imagine Fern's delight when she ran into him again at the rink. He asked her to skate, and the rest is history as they say. It wasn't long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Fern and Harold were married on April 19, 1947, in Fountain City. She felt truly blessed to have met her soul mate, and she always said that her life got better when she married Harold.Together Fern and Harold made a life on a farm near Lewiston. Together they welcomed ten children including Barbara, David, Karen, Ruth, Diane, James, Joanne, Betty, Sara, and John into their hearts and home. Fern effectively managed her home and made tending to such a large family seem effortless. She was an amazing cook who always prepared enough to feed an Army as there were others who frequently stopped by for dinner. Fern kept a huge garden, too. Later in life Fern shared some of her recipes including her famous beets that will continue to be handed down through the generations. When someone was sick they were always treated to her homemade chicken noodle soup, and for her children's birthdays Fern made them the cake of their choice, often angel food or German chocolate. Her potato pancakes were also a family favorite, and she nearly rubbed her knuckles raw making them. In addition to helping on the farm, Fern also raised chickens that were so clean her children joked that their skin squeaked! She then sold the eggs. Saturdays were baking day with coffee cake, bread, and sweet rolls gracing her table soon after. Fern told her children that eating freshly baked bread would give them a tummy ache, but really her objective was just to make sure the bread would still be there when Harold got in the house! As they were leaving for church on Christmas Eve, Fern somehow ended up forgetting something that required her to go back in the house. Magically, Santa had always arrived by the time they returned home. They then ate oyster stew and shrimp and drank Tom and Jerrys. Fern was known to splurge on her children at Crazy Days every year in Lewiston, and when her children were younger Christmas were celebrated at Grandma Blum's.All who knew Fern and Harold would agree that their marriage was one that most can only dream of. A great day in her book was going out for dinner and dancing at the Hot Fish Shop. Fern and Harold had a unique dancing style together that just wasn't there with different partners. Their children always loved watching them dance. Fern and Harold also enjoyed two memorable trips to Hawaii as well as a trip to Germany and Austria. Sundays were family day at Fern's filled with homemade sausage and cheeses, meats, and breads, and her children and grandchildren knew they better stop by to avoid her feeling hurt.Fern's family was second only to her faith. They were faithful members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston where she was involved in Ladies Aid and the Dorcas Society. Sundays found Fern listening to five services nearly every week.Whether she was handing out full size candy bars to trick-or-treaters on Halloween, making diaper sets for her children, feeding anyone and everyone who stopped by, or volunteering through her church, Fern lived to give to others. Her strength was inspiring, and her work ethic was unmatched on her farm, in caring for her family, and in working outside the home at the Winona Knitting Mills. Fern never complained and was content in everything that came her way as she considered both the peaks and valleys to be part of God's perfect plan for her. She will be missed for her advice, her positive outlook, and her countless skills, but most of all Fern will be missed for her love.Fern E. Kiese formerly of Lewiston, died Monday, January 26th. Fern's family includes her ten children, Barbara (Mark) Ernster of Lewiston, David Kiese of Tavernier, FL, Karen Sokup of Stewartville, Ruth (Steve) Olson of Lanesboro, Diane Martinson of Winona, James (Bonnie) Kiese of Winona, Joanne Zeches of Cochrane, WI, Betty Agin of Lewiston, Sara (Mitch) Stephan of Altura and John (Jenny) Kiese of Winona; 29 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, 10 step great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mary Lisowski of Arcadia and Darlene (Joe) Lisowski of Buffalo City, WI and three brothers; Earl Blum, Ralph (Rita) Blum and Robert (Carol) Blum all of Fountain City, WI. Fern was preceded in death by her husband Harold on July 3, 2014, a granddaughter Cindy Kiese, three son-in-laws; Ron Schultz, Lyle Anderson and Ron Zeches, a sister Betty Ann Blum and brother-in-law LaVern Lisowski.Funeral Services will be 11AM Friday at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Paul Kuckhahn officiating. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church on Friday. Please share a memory of Fern, sign her online guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.Pallbearers will be Roger Anderson, Dan Anderson, Jason & Mike Kiese, Jeff Olson, Scott Martinson, Eric Kiese, Matt Prieur, Jordan Schultz, Zach Stephan and Jake Kiese.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/563518