Ferne Lorraine Curry (née Schlater), age 94, of Exira, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2020 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Services will include a visitation to be held at Kessler’s Funeral Home in Exira on Thursday, November 5, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a graveside funeral service at the Exira Cemetery on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 2 p.m. Social distancing and masks are appreciated and encouraged. A grander celebration of Ferne’s life will take place when COVID19 restrictions are lifted.
Ferne was born on November 18, 1925 in Exira, Iowa to Ethel (Tibben) and Franklyn Schlater. The youngest of three daughters, she was doted upon by her parents and sisters. She attended a one-room country school northeast of Exira through the eighth grade, before her family moved to a farm close to Anita, Iowa. At the age of 15, Ferne and her sister, Virginia (Barbara), rented their own apartment in Downtown Anita where she lived until graduating from Anita High School in 1943. After graduation, she attended normal teacher training before taking a job as a teacher at a one-room school house, Audubon No. 2. Each day she rode her horse, Daisy, to and from the schoolhouse. She loved teaching and went on to teach at Lincoln No. 2 and Pymosa Valley schoolhouses.
In 1946, Ferne reconnected with her old childhood friend, John “Jack” Curry when they each attended a dance in Wiota. After a fun-filled courtship, Jack proposed to Ferne in 1947, and they married June 20, 1948 surrounded by friends and family. Upon their marriage, Ferne and Jack moved to Jack’s family farm west of Exira. Ferne spent her days teaching at Kimballton and Exira Elementary Schools and her nights making pot pies at the BlueStar factory in Atlantic. In December 1949 they welcomed their daughter, Jacqueline. Four years later, in January 1954, they welcomed daughter Mary Jill.
Ferne was a loving mother who devoted her time to homemaking and raising her daughters, while continuing to substitute teach, raise gardens, and help on the farm. After her girls were off to college, Ferne took a job with the US Post Office, where she excelled and rose in the ranks to become a Post Master, before retiring 25 years later at the age of 80. Jack and Ferne celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together in 2008 with a party well attended by their friends and family.
Ferne was a social butterfly and made many lifelong friendships. She was a member of the Exira Western Country Club, Exira Lions Club, Eastern Star, and Christian Women’s Fellowship. She loved playing cards and gathered regularly with her girlfriends for coffee, cake, and a ruthless round of Pinochle. Ferne was an active member of Exira Christian Church, where she was baptized and married. Ferne wrote poetry, loved music (Elvis in particular) and was a skilled dancer. She also had a love of sewing and gardening, which she passed down to her children and grandchildren. Ferne enjoyed hosting Fourth of July festivities in her home and would welcome friends and family from all over the country to visit. She was a very involved grandmother who regularly made the trek to New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas to spend time with her grandkids. Ferne was innately warmhearted, was a charming conversationalist, compassionate listener, and a loyal friend. Above all else, Ferne loved her children and grandchildren. The brightness she brought to this world will always be remembered.
Ferne is survived by her daughter, Jackie Madrid of Exira, daughter Jill Henningsen (and husband Gerry) of Monument, Colorado, grandson Tyler Henningsen (and wife Katie) of Durham, North Carolina, granddaughter Krystal Showers (and husband John) of Ridgeway, Virginia, granddaughter Curry Sutton (and husband Darren) of New Braunfels, Texas, grandson Marcos Madrid (and fiancée Mariah) of San Antonio, Texas, granddaughter Kelly Madrid of Albuquerque, New Mexico, great-granddaughter Karris Showers, sister-in-law Harriet Curry Kirk, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John “Jack” Curry, parents Franklyn and Ethel Schlater, sisters Bernice McCrory (and husband Don) and Virginia (Barbara) Bell (and husband George), sister-in-law Cathryn Christiansen (and husband Charles), and brother-in-law Norman Kirk.
