Ogema - Ferne M. Nygard, 83, died Tuesday, July 25, 2000 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Fargo, N.D.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 28 at Lund Lutheran Church, rural Detroit Lakes, with Rev. Tiffany Jeske officiating. Burial was in Lund Lutheran Cemetery with West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes in charge of the arrangements.
Ferne M. Peterson was born on June 24, 1917 in Holt, the daughter of John and Christine (Saastad) Peterson. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1932, and following a year of normal training at Bemidji State College, she began teaching at the age of 16. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1964 from Moorhead State College and a master's degree in guidance and counseling in 1975 from Bemidji State College. During her career of more than 30 years, Ferne taught in Marshall county, Kramer, N.D., Detroit Lakes and Dilworth and retired in 1980.
On September 27, 1942, she married Sigfred A. Nygard. During World War II, Ferne qualified for civil service and special services and worked at Camp Clark, Mo. where her husband was stationed with the Army. The couple owned and operated Strawberry Lake Store near Ogema from 1954 to 1975. During her retirement years, Ferne tutored students through the process of earning their high school equivalency (GED) degrees with nearly 60 students successfully completing the requirements under her guidance. Sigfred died on June 29, 1995.
She enjoyed playing cards, quilting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Ferne is survived by two sons, Jon (Maureen) of St. Louis Park and Dr. Kendall (Gloria) of Fargo, N.D.; one daughter, JoAnn (Terry) Romine of San Jose, Calif.; seven grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and one sister, Cleo Henning of Middle River.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
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