Fern Schoof was born the fourth of five children to William and Maggie (Pederson) Brandt, at Nora, on Nov. 2, 1928. She died July 19, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler.

Fern was raised on the farm around Hardy and Ruskin.  She attended school at the rural Riber School. She was be able to live with and help a family in Ruskin while she attended high school. She graduated from Ruskin High School in the Class of 1947.  She was the valedictorian of her class. She then worked at the Ruskin Phone Company as an operator for two years. 

She met her husband, Sergeant Vernon Schoof, after he returned from serving overseas in World War II. They were united in marriage on June 15, 1947, at Bethany Church. To this union, four children born:  Edward, twins, Dennis and Denise, and Philip.

Fern was hard-working and really liked to clean. She and Vernie raised their children on the farm south of Ruskin. She helped with the chores, milking cows and raising chickens.  She liked her animals.  She didn’t work outside the home until her family was raised. She then started working at the grocery store in Ruskin, owned by Ken and Marge Cripe. The store was sold to Larry and Iona Biltoft, became K & S Food Center. She worked there for 27 years. 

Fern and Vernie built a new home in Ruskin in 1985. Fern liked to visit. She welcomed everyone in for a cup of coffee and a treat. Homemade pies, cakes, cookies, bars, or whatever she made.

She attended Bible studies, was active in the LWML group, and taught Sunday School at St. Mark Lutheran Church.  She helped make many quilts that were sent to the Orphan Grain Train and helped put Bibles together for the blind.  Fern enjoyed watching her grandchildren play in her yard and play sports and attending all their activities. She was an avid reader and volunteered at the Ruskin Library.  She also liked embroidery and gardening.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon; grandson, Matthew Schoof; and brothers, Larry D. Brandt and Lester Brandt.

She is survived by brother, Donald Brandt of Hebron and sister, Marietta Free of Superior; children:  sons, Edward, Dennis and Philip, all of Ruskin; and daughter, Mrs. Robert Allyn (Denise) of Tucson, Ariz .; 10 grandchildren; and her great-grandchildren. 

Her funeral was Saturday Aug. 6, at St Mark Lutheran Church in Ruskin, with Pastor Brian Francik officiating. Burial was in the Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin.