OBITUARY

Name:    Fern May (Galusha) Hegle Vannett

From:  The Minot Daily News, Minot, North Dakota
Date:  Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Feb. 14, 1924-Nov. 18, 2006

Fern Mae (Galusha) Vannett, 82, 1407-13th St. NW, Minot, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006, at her home.

Fern was born on Feb. 14, 1924, to Sid and Metta (Zorn) Galusha in Minot. She grew up on the family farm in South Prairie and attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. She then attended Minot High School, graduating in 1943. As a young adult she worked at Mandan Creamery, the bakery at Maragos’ store and was a clerk at Lowe’s Grocery.  Fern went to work at Trinity Hospital as a nurse’s aide, and worked there for 24 years.

She married Garfield Hegle on Feb. 5, 1947, and they had two daughters through this union.

In January of 1978 she married Lester Vannett at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot. They enjoyed traveling and dancing together until Lester’s death in 1988. After Fern retired in the mid-1980s, she kept busy, helping as a cook at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren School where her grandson attended. She also spent a few years helping with her daughter’s day care.

Fern and her cousin, Selma, took a trip to Israel, which was one of the highlights of her life. She also enjoyed photography, taking pictures around her church, family and for special occasions, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, going to lunch with them and taking short trips with them.

Fern was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Minot Camera Club, the City Art League, the North West Polkateers, an usher at the church, and served on the church council during the time they were working toward building a new church.

In 1997, she met her friend Bob Linnertz. They spent a lot of time going dancing and playing cards.

She is survived by her daughters, Angie (Dan) Wenzel, Charlene (Mark) Hofer; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four stepsons; one stepdaughter; sister, Joyce Herdt; two sisters-in-law; special friend, Bob Linnertz; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lester Vannett; brothers, Wayne and Herbert Galusha; niece, Terry Galusha; and step-grandson, Travis Ott.

Funeral: Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at 1 p.m. in Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot.  Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.  Visitation: Family and friends are invited to sign a memorial register book one hour prior to the funeral service. (Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot)