Fern Raleigh

Fern Raleigh, age 96, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan, Kansas. She was born on April 28, 1929, to parents Arthur H. and Anna M. (Hassman) Harder, in rural Groveland, Kansas.

She attended Lookout Grade School and Windom Rural High School. After graduation, she worked for Farmers Alliance Insurance. She would go on to marry her high school sweetheart, Leo Raleigh, on July 25, 1948 at the family farm north of Windom, Kansas.

While raising her family and taking care of the home, she also worked as a part-time school bus driver, volunteered, and assisted her husband as he began Raleigh Insurance. One of her favorite activities was judging food at various county fairs and the state fair. She was involved in several clubs, including 4-H Club as a member and a club leader, the Extension Homemakers Unit, the Windom Lions Club, the Windom Booster Club, and the McPherson County Food Bank Board of Directors. She was also an active member of the United Methodist Church in Windom, serving in various roles. After the church closed, she transferred her membership to the First United Methodist Church in McPherson. What brought her the most joy was spending time with her family. She loved attending her grandchildren's sporting events and activities, taking them fishing, having them stay overnight, and getting together for meals.

Fern is survived by her daughters, Colleen Reinert (Don), Woodland Park, Colorado; Rebecca Jackson (Jack Jackson, deceased), Odenton, Maryland; Nancy Raleigh (Steve Lee), Manhattan, Kansas; Terri Bornholdt (Tim), Inman, Kansas and daughter-in-law Susan Raleigh Rome (Bob). Windom, Kansas.

Grandchildren are Juliana Gross (Craig), Heather Thiessen (fiancé Scott Case), Heidi Pucket (Andy), Cory Bieber (Brandi), Steve Gonzales (Robyn), Hilarie Hecox (Shane), Lucas Raleigh (Kylee), Fletcher Raleigh (Karlyn), Cody Bornholdt (Ashley), and Katie Albers (Adam).

Great-grandchildren, Taylor and Brooke Thiessen; Addison Vagts; Kirsten and Dylan Bieber; Elijah and Cole Bieber; Makayla Brand (Patrick), Madison, Sarabeth and Reagan Gonzales; Henry, Halle and Hattie Hecox; Saelyn and Lincoln Raleigh; Cash Albers and Baby Raleigh due in October.

Great-great grandchild, Colton Gonzales. She i salso survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leo; son, Mike; brothers Raymond and Robert Harder; sisters, Florine Richmond and Velma Warburton; grandchild, Chris Bieber; and son-in-law Jack Jackson.

A visitation from 5-7 p.m. will be held Monday night at the First United Methodist Church, McPherson, Kansas.

A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at the church. A private burial will take place at the Windom Cemetery prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Raleigh-Windom Memorial Fund, in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502.