Obituary of Grace H. Ferns

Grace Helen (Johnson) Ferns, 96, of 701 Oaknoll Drive, Iowa City, Iowa died Saturday, September 24, 2005 at Oaknoll Health Center following a short illness. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am, Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City with Reverend Tim Malek of Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 27, 2005 from 9:00 am until service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, Iowa. Memorials may be given in Grace’s memory to Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Iowa City Hospice or Oaknoll Retirement Home. On line condolences for Grace’s family may be sent through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Grace was born near Cambridge, Illinois on April 27, 1909 to John and Matilda (Nelson) Johnson, the family moved to Iowa in 1911. Grace graduated from Washington High School, Washington, Iowa, received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa and her Master’s degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Grace was an elementary school teacher for twenty one years, Johnson County Elementary School Supervisor for sixteen years and the Principal of Penn Elementary School, North Liberty for seven years before retiring in 1974. Grace volunteered her services at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City for eighteen years. Grace moved to Oaknoll Retirement Home in 1983. Grace was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of School Principals, International Reading Association, Mercy Hospital Guild and the Johnson County Retired School Personnel. Grace received many awards and honors during her service to education. Grace married Lloyd L Ferns on December 24, 1928 in Sioux City, Iowa; he preceded her in death on November 17, 1966. Grace’s family includes a sister, Ruth Hartman of Iowa City; three nieces, Marjorie Soethout of Omaha, Nebraska, Virginia Derwin of North Liberty, and Marilyn Marclay of West Des Moines, Iowa; three nephews, Charles Brinning of Richland, Iowa, Donald Brinning of Brighton, Iowa and Donald Johnson of Winfield, Iowa; and several grand nieces and nephews. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, Mabel Johnson and Florence Brinning; three brothers, Frank Johnson, Oscar Johnson and Walter “Pat” Johnson; a niece, Rita Brinning and two nephews, John Lee Johnson and Richard Johnson. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Grace’s family and her services.