FAIRMONT — A memorial service for Fern Hand, age 93, of Fairmont, Minn., will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont, with visitation prior to the service from 10-11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow the service in Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the services at Hand’s Park.

Fern passed away holding her daughter’s hand on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, Minn. Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

She was born into the Great Depression on Jan. 22, 1931. Fern Evelyn Johnson was the baby of her family. Her mother Edith (Gustafson) and Anton Johnson were of Swedish descent and farmed in East Chain, Minn. Fern was the first baby born at the “new” hospital on Albion Avenue.

Fern had three sisters, Alice, Ethel and Lorraine, who was 3 years older than her and had died at age 2. Growing up, her brothers, Floyd and George “Bud,” helped their father work the family farmstead.

Fern graduated from East Chain High School in 1949 and attended business college in Mankato, Minn. She met Ernest Hand Jr. while bowling one night, and a budding romance led to wedding bells on June 29, 1951. The couple built a home on South Silver Lake and together they raised four children: Shelly, Debra, Richard and James

Fern had her hands full keeping house, rearing four children, as well as keeping the books for Ernie’s fishing business and working for Grandma Hand at the Hand’s Park Gay Paree Ballroom.

Fern joined Weight Watchers and achieved her goal. She went on to work many years for the organization as the record keeper for the Fairmont chapter. She was active in the East Chain Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, Merry Makers Social Club and 4-H. Family picnics and gatherings were plentiful and joyous occasions.

Fern’s smile was contagious and the brightly colored hats she wore in later years sparked many a conversation and complement. All who knew her loved her, and all who loved her felt blessed to have her in their life.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Shelly (Bruce) Abitz of Fairmont, Deb Domek of Tea, S.D. and James (Donna) Hand of Fairmont; daughter-in-law, Tammy Hand of Welcome; grandchildren, Michelle (Adam) Ehlers, Jennifer (John Jr.) Duderstadt, Aimee Hand (Scott Schmitt), Carlene Hand, Gavin Hand, Raina Domek (Kevin Nelson) and Taylor Domek; great-grandchildren, Brandon Williams, Morgan Ehlers and Piper Duderstadt.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Hand; parents, Anton and Edith Johnson; son, Richard Hand; granddaughter, Sarah Hand; son-in-law, Terry Domek; brothers, Floyd and George “Bud”; sisters, Alice, Ethel and Lorraine; and other relatives. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net