Fern E. (Brandt) Schoof

Christian Biography of Fern Elaine (Brandt) Schoof

Fern was born the fourth of five children to William and Maggie (Pederson) Brandt, at Nora, NE on November 2, 1928.  Fern peacefully departed this life for her heavenly home on July 19, 2022, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler, NE.

She was baptized May 20, 1945, and confirmed on May 27, 1945 at rural Bethany Church.  Fern was raised on the farm around Hardy and Ruskin, NE.  She attended school at the rural Riber School District.  She felt blessed to be able to live with and help a family in Ruskin while she attended high school.  She graduated from Ruskin High School in the class of 1947.  She was the valedictorian of her class.  She then worked at the Ruskin Phone Company as an operator for two years. 

She met her husband, Sergeant Vernon Schoof, after he returned from serving overseas in World War 2.  They were united in marriage on June 15, 1947, at Bethany Church.  To this union, four children born:  Edward, twins, Dennis & Denise, and Philip.

Fern was a hard-working lady and really loved to clean.  She & Vernie raised their children on the farm south of Ruskin.  She helped with the chores, milking cows and raising chickens.  She loved her animals.  She didn’t work outside the home until her family was raised.  She then started working at the grocery store in Ruskin, owned by Ken & Marge Cripe.  The store was sold to Larry & Iona Biltoft, became K & S Food Center, and she worked there for 27 years. 

Fern & Vernie built a new home in Ruskin in 1985.  Fern loved to visit.  Her sister Marietta always said, “Fern doesn’t know a stranger.”  She always welcomed everyone in for a cup of coffee and a treat.  Home-made pies (cherry was a family favorite), cakes, cookies, bars, or whatever she made, she was always willing to share.

She attended Bible studies, was active in the LWML group, and taught Sunday School at St. Mark Lutheran Church.  She helped make many quilts that were sent to the Orphan Grain Train and helped put Bibles together for the blind.  Fern loved to watch her grandkids play in her yard and play sports.  She enjoyed attending all their activities.  In the summer, one of her greatest joys was to work out in her yard and working in her garden.  She was an avid reader and volunteered at the Ruskin Library.  She also loved embroidery and taught many of her grandkids how to embroider.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; husband Vernon; grandson Matthew Schoof; brothers Larry D. Brandt and Lester Brandt; brothers-in-law Victor Judy and Henry Free; and sister-in-law Gertrude Brandt.

She is survived by brother Donald Brandt of Hebron & sister Marietta Free of Superior.

Children:  sons Edward (Brenda); Dennis (Sandra Shaw); Philip (Karla), all of Ruskin, NE; and daughter Denise (Robert) Allyn of Tucson, AZ.

Grandchildren:  Amy (Todd) Voss, Angela (John) Puelz, Jennifer (Mike) Jensen, Natalie (Scott) Olson, Kari (Tim) Benson, Kasey (Mike) Bowen, Alesha (Matt) Vieselmeyer, Shanda (Gordon) Watts, Krista (Tyler) Harms, and Tori Schoof.

Great-grandchildren:  Karlee, Julian, & Paula Voss; Paxton, Josie, Joshua, Jonny, & Jesse Puelz; Allie & Lainey Vieselmeyer; Cayden & Cale Benson; Brody & Gavin Bowen; Chad Luckenbill, Cullen, Hailey, & Conor Jensen; Caitlin Baker & Morgan Olson; Emily & Trevon Watts; Reese, Barrett, Maddyn & Brextin Harms; a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends. 

Memorial services were Saturday 2:00 pm, August 6, 2022 at St Mark Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska with Pastor Brian Francik officiating.  Burial was in the Spring Creek Cemetery, Ruskin, Nebraska. 

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Williams Funeral Homes
Superior Chapel
telephone 402 879 3123

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