Ferne Bertha Hanna (Ailts) Dumke
January 10, 1923 — March 27, 2016
Ferne Bertha Hanna (Ailts) Dumke was born January 10, 1923 to Frieda and Henry Ailts at Forest, WI. She was baptized in their log home near Forest, WI. She was confirmed at Good Hope Lutheran Church at Titonka, Iowa. Ferne graduated from Glenwood City High School in 1941 and attended many class reunions until a few years ago. On December 6, 1945 she was married to Donald Dumke at Immanuel Lutheran church in Forest, WI.
Ferne spent most of her life farming with her late husband Don. Deer Lake Community 1945-1950, 1950-1955 New Richmond, WI. 1955-1966 managed Deer Lake Farm at St. Croix Falls, WI. 1966-2006 owned their farm approximately one mile east of Deer Lake Farm near St. Croix Falls, WI. 2006-2010 Balsam Lake, WI senior apartment, 2010 to present Golden Horizon Asst. Living in Aitkin, MN. Ferne worked 1966-2006 at Wayne's Café near St. Croix Falls, WI. She enjoyed demos at Walmart stores in the St. Croix Falls area on new products for many years. Ferne enjoyed meeting people by selling Avon products. She served as Chairman of St. John's Ladies aid for over 40 years. She was a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church at Centuria, WI. Ferne was the key leader of the Happy Lakers 4-H club for many years., Ferne loved playing cards, growing flowers, putting puzzles together and entertaining family and friends.
Survivors include her son and daughter in law, David and Pamela Dumke, St. Croix Falls, WI. daughters and sons in law, Joy and Carroll Janzen, Aitkin, MN: Mary and Rick Petroske, Lino Lakes, MN. Grandchildren, Ann (Janzen) and Jon Finifrock, Barnum, MN, Christine (Janzen) and Jon Midthun, St. Cloud, MN, Tony and Dena Petroske, Rice Lake, WI, Michael Petroske, Lino Lakes, Drew Dumke, St. Croix Falls. Great Grandsons, Trent, Nathan, Nicholas, Brady and Isaac. Many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald of 40 years and parents Henry and Frieda Ailts.
The Funeral Service for Ferne will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria. Ferne’s family will greet visitors at the funeral home from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service. Ferne will be laid to rest at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Centuria following the service. Pallbearers will be Tony and Michael Petroske, Drew Dumke, Ann Finifrock, Christine Midthun and Donnie Ellefson.
The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.