Fern Marner

Lovina Fern Marner, 95, of Kalona, died Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Pleasantview Home.

Fern was born July 19, 1929, in Woodriver, Nebraska, the daughter of Ben and Sarah (Beckler) Hochstetler. She attended Iowa Mennonite School. On September 4, 1949, she was united in marriage to Paul D. Marner at the East Union Mennonite Church. Together, Paul and Fern raised three daughters in a home filled with love and laughter. They lived in the Williamsburg and Kalona communities. Fern worked as a technician in the Ophthalmology Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospital for 32 years, retiring in 1994. She was a member of the West Union Mennonite Church and Kalona Mennonite Church. Fern enjoyed sewing, embroidery, traveling, and eating ice cream.

Fern is survived by her daughters Bonnie (Don) Oswald of Manson, Donna (Mark) Roth of Wayland, Janet (Roger) Stutzman of Wellman; grandchildren Daniel (Andrea) Oswald, Kate (Matt) Wilkins, Dean (Dana) Oswald, Renea (Neil) Reichenbach, Sarah (Joshua) Shank, Traci Roth, Isaac (Tasha) Roth, Julia (Michael) McNurlen, Dale (Sarah) Stutzman and Corrie (Myles) Swartzentruber; and 30 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, great granddaughter Alaina McNurlen, sister Ila Bender and her husband Harold Ray.

Private family graveside will be in the Sharon Hill Cemetery. There will be no visitation. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Washington County Hospice. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Fern and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com