Fern G. Bright, age 98, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Hawkeye Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will follow in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will take place Friday, July 21, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Fern Gale Hollesen, the daughter of Bennie and Florence (Wright) Hollesen was born in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, on April 7, 1919.  She lived her youth and received her education in Sioux Rapids, graduating with the Class of 1937 from the Sioux Rapids Consolidated School.  Fern was baptized in 1954 at the Methodist Church in Sioux Rapids and confirmed in that church in 1960.

On July 2, 1939, Fern was united in marriage to Elmer A. Bright, Jr. at the Methodist parsonage in Sioux Rapids and this marriage was blessed with three children: Donald, Becky, and Jon.  Fern and Elmer’s married lifetime was spent in the Sioux Rapids community.  Fern had been employed at Simonsen’s Ironworks for 12 years. Fern was happy and proud to be a homemaker.  She also worked in many farm homes during harvesting, and for local families doing housework and babysitting. After Ruth Sickles, a beloved nurse and owner of Sickles Hospital, retired and moved into her new home, Fern helped to care for her in her home for several years.  She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was generous with her time for them. She is remembered as a kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother.  Her greatest pleasure was to be surrounded by her family.

Fern was a member of the First United Church of Sioux Rapids and the Women’s Fellowship.  She enjoyed gardening, baking, reading and music, especially that of her son, Don and grandson, Kenny.

Fern’s life and memory is loved and cherished by her family which include her children: Donald (Shirley) Bright of Cherokee, Iowa; Jon (Julie) Bright of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; and Becky Roberts of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren: Kenny (Ginnie) Bright of Cherokee, Iowa; Karen (Chris) Benson of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Kathy (Jerry) Woodall of Cherokee, Iowa; Clint (Jessica) Roberts of Newell, Iowa; Nicole (Kale) Glover of Marathon, Iowa; Kirk (Mallory) Bright of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; and Kayla (Stephen) Tjaden of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; great grandchildren: Ethan, Evan Eli, and Ella Roberts; Kase and Kage Glover; Boden, Tristan, and Jaida Bright; Rush Tjaden; Jessica, Emily, and Gabby Benson; Seth Mahnke; and Morgan Gravenish; great-great grandson, Conner Mahnke; brother, Dean Hollesen of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; sister, Marge Stone of Moberly, Missouri; sister-in-law, Laura Hollesen of Everly, Iowa; other extended family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elmer on November 3, 2001; sisters: Lilah Romine and Marlene Nelson; and two brothers: Kenneth Hollesen and Dale Hollesen.

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