Fern Elizabeth Berends

Fern Elizabeth Berends, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away Saturday, June 22 surrounded by her family at the age of 79. Honoring her wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at St. Patrick's Parish Hall on Saturday, August 3 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, Iowa, assisted the family. Fern was born to the late Bernice and Walter Link Richards in Dubuque, Iowa on December 2, 1944. Fern was blessed with a large and loving family which later moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1946. Fern graduated from Jefferson High School in 1962. Fern was a dedicated wife and mother to her children whom she adored. She cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were her family, friend or a member of the community. She was always willing to help out someone in need. She had the kindest heart and warm welcoming smile that people were naturally drawn to. Fern served as the beloved office manager at Sparkling Image Car Wash for 28 years. Customers would drop in weekly just to visit with Fern because she treated everyone like family. Fern retired in July of 2015 and moved back to Dubuque where she loved spending quality time with family and friends. She loved playing bridge, cards and working on puzzles where she lived. Fern is survived by her five children; Stacy (Mike) Hubanks, Stephanie (Derwood) Scott, Samantha (Tom Nash) Leahy, Sara (Jeff) Mills, Scott (Dona'lea), her grandchildren; Michael (Sarin Bulgin) Hubanks, Nathan (Sigourney) Hubanks, Matthew (Amanda) Hubanks, Amanda Scott, Rebecca (Hunter Bullock) Scott, Keara (Josh) Pawley, Ryann (Sean) Alarid, Kaci (Bobby Blair) Mills, Rachel Mills, Chris Cordonnier (Tera), Crystal'lynn Cordonnier, Jordan Clark, Jayden Clark (AJ); her siblings Elsie Harris, Dale Richards (Kathy), Paul (Julie) Richards, and Teresa Berry and sister-in-law Mary Richards; and many great-grandchildren. Fern was preceded in death by her brother Herb, her sister and brother-in-law Adele and Leroy; and brothers-in-law, Charles and Bud. Fern has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Everyone who was ever touched by her in their lifetime should have faith that she will be watching over them because that is just the kind of person she was. Her light and kind spirit lives on in each of us.