Fern Yvonne Leach

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Fern Leach, on October 2, 2025. Fern was born on April 28, 1957, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to Donald and Norma (Whitlock) Bird.

She was the proud firstborn, followed by her siblings Donnie, Cindy, and Julie. A graduate of Herington High School, Class of 1975, Fern made lifelong friends in her hometown, where she also met Steve Beausoleil. Together they had two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Rachel.

Later, Fern moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a skilled paste-up foreman for the Omaha World-Herald newspaper. While there, she met David Leach, and they shared two much loved sons, Mathew and Joshua.

Fern was also a devoted aunt to Michael Shearer and Katrina Frigault, and her care extended to all the children whose lives she touched. In 1994, she returned to Kansas and spent the rest of her career as a special education paraprofessional, where kindness, patience, and fierce protection of children made her deeply loved by students and colleagues alike.

Outside of work, Fern found joy in life’s simple and meaningful pleasures. She loved gardening, creating colorful, welcoming spaces that brought beauty and joy to everyone who passed by. She was a talented seamstress, often sewing clothes, aprons, and blankets for her grandchildren and children- gifts stitched with love. She loved buying fancy dresses for her granddaughters as well; she would be just as excited as they were! Fern had a tender heart for animals and was especially devoted to rescuing neglected dogs, giving them comfort, care, and a second chance at life.

Family was the center of Fern’s world, she often said that being a mother was her greatest joy, and she loved her children unconditionally. She especially cherished her role as “Mimi” to her grandchildren- Alex, Ben, Isaac, Alayna, and Lily; and her great nephews and niece- Karter, Kade, Dallas and Olyvia.

Fern will be remembered for her unwavering love, quick wit, and deep compassion. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved so dearly and in every life she touched. While we will miss her beyond belief, we are at peace knowing she is in heaven rejoicing with Jesus, the angels, and with all her loved ones that proceeded. Fern is no longer having to fight the medical issues that she had for so long. She was the strongest person we knew, such a fighter; tiny and mighty. Her laughter, her fierce love and her steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Fern was proceeded in death by her parents, Donald Sr and Norma Bird, and her brother, Donald Jr (Donnie) Bird. She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Robert) Davis and Rachel ( Jason) Fenske; her sons Mathew Leach and Joshua (Ciara) Leach; her grandchildren Alex, Ben, Isaac, Alayna, and Lily; her sisters Cindy Bird and Julie Bird (Mark); her nephew Michael (Lacey) Shearer and Katrina (Karen) Frigault; her great nephews and niece, Karter, Kade, Dallas, and Olyvia; and many dear friends who will forever hold her memory close.

Fern was a very giving woman in her life and had planned for many years that when she was done with her earthly body, she wanted it to be donated to science to help further research Multiple Myeloma. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations to be made in her honor to two of the following organizations that she was so fond of that helped fight cancer and is an advocate for children and others in need; Victory in the Valley and the Assistance League of Wichita. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 10, 2025, at 11 am at Season’s Venue, in OJ Watson Park.