07/25/2025
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of someone so dear to everyone in the Schlegel family, as well as many others. Fern Schlegel—a beloved wife to Ken for 70 years before his passing in December, a mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and friend to many—passed into eternity on Monday, July 21.
Just one month shy of her 93rd birthday, Fern was a familiar face in our community. For many years, she was an icon both at the farm stand and at the Gratz Auction on Fridays. In more recent years, she scaled back her public presence but remained no less active, continuing to be involved with many of the happenings around the farm.
She was a dog lover, avid gardener, and appreciator of beautiful flowers, good homegrown vegetables from her garden, and fruit from the orchard. She loved watching the birds (and occasionally a flock of chickens) at her many feeders. It was also inevitable that one or more of her great grandkids would come trouncing across the field for a visit - perhaps looking for a “snack”, to read a book, share some news, ride their bikes around her driveway, walk around her curated garden and flower beds, or simply just for some conversation. This is perhaps what brought her (and Ken) some of the most joy in these later years - her role of a devoted and much beloved great grandma to 15 great grandchildren, all who loved her just as dearly in return. We are so blessed.
So much more could be said as so much life was had in her almost 93 years. Words can hardly express our admiration for this remarkable woman and how much she meant to all of us. She was sweet, humble, and a nurturer to all—but also disciplined, industrious, and resilient. She will be missed greatly, but we hold on to a great Hope that this is only goodbye for now.
