Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Fern Marner Obituary
Lovina Fern Marner, 95, of Kalona, died Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Pleasantview Home.
Fern was born July 19, 1929, in Woodriver, Nebraska, the daughter of Ben and Sarah (Beckler) Hochstetler. She attended Iowa Mennonite School. On September 4, 1949, she was united in marriage to Paul D. Marner at the East Union Mennonite Church. Together, Paul and Fern raised three daughters in a home filled with love and laughter. They lived in the Williamsburg and Kalona communities. Fern worked as a technician in the Ophthalmology Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospital for 32 years, retiring in 1994. She was a member of the West Union Mennonite Church and Kalona Mennonite Church. Fern enjoyed sewing, embroidery, traveling, and eating ice cream.
Fern is survived by her daughters Bonnie (Don) Oswald of Manson, Donna (Mark) Roth of Wayland, Janet (Roger) Stutzman of Wellman; grandchildren Daniel (Andrea) Oswald, Kate (Matt) Wilkins, Dean (Dana) Oswald, Renea (Neil) Reichenbach, Sarah (Joshua) Shank, Traci Roth, Isaac (Tasha) Roth, Julia (Michael) McNurlen, Dale (Sarah) Stutzman and Corrie (Myles) Swartzentruber; and 30 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, great granddaughter Alaina McNurlen, sister Ila Bender and her husband Harold Ray.
Private family graveside will be in the Sharon Hill Cemetery. There will be no visitation. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Washington County Hospice. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Fern and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
504 12th Street, Kalona, IA 52247
People and places connected with Fern
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Memories and Condolences
for Fern Marner
Tell your own story about Fern
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Make a Donation
in Fern Marner's name
How to support Fern's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Fern Marner's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
