Fern E. Kiese

Fern E. Kiese, 88, formerly of Lewiston, died Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2015, at Winona Health.

Fern was born Aug. 21, 1926, to Walter and Elna (Mueller) Blum in Fountain City, Wis. She and Harold Kiese were married on April 19, 1947, in Fountain City. The couple farmed near Lewiston.

They were faithful members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, where Fern was involved in Ladies Aid and the Dorcas Society. Fern had a big heart, always giving to others. She worked for Winona Knitting Mills for many years. Her family and the farm were the center of Fern's life.

Survivors include her 10 children, Barbara (Mark) Ernster of Lewiston, David Kiese of Tavernier, Fla., Karen Sokup of Stewartville, Ruth (Steve) Olson of Lanesboro, Diane Martinson of Winona, James (Bonnie) Kiese of Winona, Joanne Zeches of Cochrane, Wis., 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, Wis.; and three brothers, Earl Blum, Ralph (Rita) Blum and Robert (Carol) Blum, all of  Fountain City, Wis.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Harold on July 3, 2014, a granddaughter, Cindy Kiese, three sons-in-law, Ron Schultz, Lyle Anderson and Ron Zeches, a sister, Betty Ann Blum and brother-in-law, LaVern Lisowski.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. today, Jan. 30, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, with the Rev. Paul Kuckhahn officiating. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. 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 hofffuneral.com.

Hoff Funeral Service of Lewiston is assisting the family with arrangements.