Obituary

Fern Kliesen, 82

Helen Fern Daniel Kliesen, age 82, died July 19, 1999, in Fredonia, Arizona. She was born November 5, 1916, in Mankato, Kansas, to Claude and Mae Diamond Daniel. Her mother died when she was 16 months old, and she was raised by her grandparents. She married Leonard William Kliesen November 10, 1935, in Dodge City, Kansas. They moved to Cheyenne Wells where they farmed. Fern raised 11 children with love and unending patience, and was rewarded with 33 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. The raising of the crops and the passing of the seasons, along with the welfare of her children were the loves of her life. Later in life, she developed a remarkable talent for painting. She also became an avid sports fan, supporting her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed being an active supporter of the Girl=s Summer Softball program. She was always ready for her weekly bridge game with some of her many friends.

After her children were grown and her husband passed away, she traveled to see many of the places she had always wanted to see. She never tired of going to see her children who, by this time, were scattered all over the United States. After her health began to fail, she moved out of the family home and into Parrish Care Center in Kit Carson, and then to the hospital and nursing home in Cheyenne Wells. Her last months were spent at Country Living Care Center in Fredonia near her youngest daughter, Linda.

Fern saw and experienced many things during life, including the Depression, World War II, and the hard times of the Dust Bowl conditions while farming from the 1940's to the 1970's. Through all that, she never despaired, and had words of encouragement for those around her. She placed her life and faith in Jesus Christ. To all who knew her, the words, Aa saint,@ are the best to describe her.

Survivors include her children, Judith (Glenn) Haney of McCook, Nebraska, Joseph Kliesen of the United States, William (Bonnie) Kliesen of Long Beach California, Richard Kliesen of Cheyenne Wells, Nancy (Cecil) Drake of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, Virginia Walker of Nashville, Tennessee, Carolyn (Ron) Touchton of Denver, Robert (Deborah) Kliesen of Eads, James (Jennifer) Kliesen of Cheyenne Wells, and Linda Kliesen of Fredonia; 32 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; stepmother, Charlotte Daniel; parents; two daughters, Margaret Kliesen and Lucyle Sparks; son-in-law, Robert Sparks; and grandchildren, Martha Sparks and Rone Jean Kliesen.

Services were held Wednesday, July 21, 1999, in Kanab, Utah, and in Cheyenne Wells Saturday, July 24, 1999, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Funeral services were under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary and Hendricks-Love Mortuary.