Fern Haldeman Cowell

Fern Haldeman Cowell, 79, of Lansdale, passed away Sunday at her residence. She was the beloved wife of the late Ralph Cowell, who passed away in 1998. Born in Greier, May 20, 1929, she was one of five children born to the late Charles A. and Kathryn Shafer Haldeman. Mrs. Cowell earned her nursing degree from the Reading Hospital School of Nursing, after which she was employed at the Montgomery Hospital as a registered nurse for 40 years until her she retired in 1991. She was a long-time member of Lansdale Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and loved spending time with her family. Surviving are five sons, Jesse R. Cowell and his wife, Margaret K., Duncansville, Mark D. Cowell and his wife, Michele, Raleigh, N.C., Kenneth Cowell, North Wales, Matthew P. Cowell and his wife, Gretchen, Philadelphia, and Luke H. Cowell and his wife, Joy, San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Beth A. Wacker and her husband, Stephen, Loysville, Pa., and Faith S. Cowell and her partner, Kay Reist, Columbia, Pa.; 14 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Bernice Shafer, Katherine Houser, Laura Schaefer and Jessie Kalbach. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday from Lansdale Presbyterian Church, 450 Oak Park Road, Hatfield. The family will receive friends following the service. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in White Church Cemetery of Christ, Rush Township. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Montgomery Hospice, 24 Fornance St., Norristown, PA 19401. R.L. Williams Jr. Funeral Home Inc., Skippack, is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guest book at republicanherald.com