Ferne Refsal

Ferne Deloris Refsal age 93 of Worthington, formerly of Westbrook, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Crossroads Care Center in Worthington. 

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Westbrook Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.  Interment is in the Westbrook Cemetery.  Stephens Funeral Service-Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ferne was born February 19, 1919 in Highwater Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota to Lloyd and Rose (Schmalz) Clark.  She attended Amo Country School and graduated from Storden High School before attending beauty school in St. Paul.  In the fall of 1937, she married Lloyd Erickson.   One daughter, Dawne, was born to this union.  Ferne worked at various beauty shops.  She married Clair “Jack” Clancy and they farmed in Rosehill Township.  One daughter, Gayla, was born to this union.  Following his death in 1969, Ferne married Floyd Refsal on February 21, 1970.  They settled on the farm in Westbrook Township and moved into Westbrook in September of 1998, where she lived until she entered the Nursing Home in Worthington.  Ferne was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and was active in the WELCA group, serving as president and other offices over the years.  She belonged to the Rosehill Extension Club for several years and the VFW and Legion Auxiliary.  She loved flowers and gardening, collected antique dishes and lamps, and loved going to auction sales.  Ferne also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ferne is survived by her daughter Dawne Mischke of Worthington; son in law Roger FitzHenry of Heron Lake; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one niece, two nephews and many friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Gayla FitzHenry, three husbands, two sisters Gloria and Iris, and a brother Reed.