Ferne D. Diede

Ferne D. Diede, age 79, of Yankton, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 17, 2014 at Martinus Lutheran Church, rural Lesterville, SD, with Rev. Dean Schroeder officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery. Visitations will begin at 6:00 PM, Sunday, March 16, 2014, with a Scripture service at 7:00 PM at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are her grandchildren: Wendy Mork, Amber Bartmann, Elizabeth Heinzmann, Anthony Schenkel, Amanda Larsen and Ashley Puetz.

Ferne was born on January 16, 1935 in Yankton County to Fred and Mary (Lane) Haberer. She was baptized on June 10, 1935 and confirmed at Martinus Lutheran Church where she was a member. On November 12, 1951 she was united in marriage with Delmer Diede. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She and Delmer farmed east of Lesterville for 24 years. In 1975 they moved to Lesterville where she worked at the school for 2 years and the Lesterville Coop for 20 years. She retired in 1999. She enjoyed traveling, quilting, embroidering and playing cards.

She is survived by a daughter, Cynthia (Don) Schenkel of Canistota, SD; a son, Allen and special friend, Sharon of Parker, SD; 6 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 2 sisters; 1 half-sister; 3 brothers; and 1 half-brother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmer in 2003, her parents, and a great granddaughter, Courtney Heinzmann.