ANNOUNCEMENT: Change of location for Fern's service to Gearhart Funeral Home in COON RAPIDS, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 beginning with the viewing at 11 am, service at 12:30 pm, followed by a gathering at Forest Hill at the burial site at 2 pm.
She passed away peacefully at the age of 78, on April 10th, 2024 at Guardian Angels Care Center, in Elk River, MN, where she was a cherished member of their community.
Fern was loved by all. She had a magnetic personality and loved her family and friends unconditionally. Fern was the youngest of 5 siblings, and in her younger years, she was a performer. She developed a passion for singing and dancing that she carried throughout her life. After graduating from Anoka Senior High in 1964, she attended modeling school and beauty school, after which she began a career as a hairdresser. She eventually left the trade and became an industrial sewer and upholsterer for the Sleep Number Bed Company, then Life Fitness.
Two of the most important things in Fern’s life were her family and friends. The most pivotal moments in Fern’s life were when she became a mother, a grandmother, and then, when she became a great-grandmother. She adored her daughters, granddaughter, and her two great-grandchildren. She made new friends wherever she went, and stayed connected to her childhood friend, Janice “Dutie” Anderson throughout her whole life. Other cherished friendships she developed in her adult years were with neighborhood friends, and work friends. Living at the Guardian Angels Care Center, Fern brought an element of love and kindness that was incomparable. She grew to love the caregivers at Guardian Angels Care Center like they were family, and they loved her as much. Fern had a kind nature, a loving heart, and will be missed dearly by her family, friends, and caregivers.
In their later years, Fern and her sister, Babes, enjoyed each other’s company playing Bingo, going antiquing, and playing Yahtzee with the kids at the cabin. Fern created beautiful pieces sewing, crocheting, woodcarving, ceramics, and through other crafty applications; she was very talented in many ways.
Fern was preceded in death by her husband Jim Clarence Fronius; mother, Evelyn Martha Swing; father, Victor Swing; sister, Rosetta “Tots” Benninger; Bernadena “Babes” Tompkins; brother Virgil “Sonny” Swing; Leon “Nook” Swing; nephews, David Swing and Troy Swing.
Fern is survived by her partner, Arnold “Arnie” McCalla; her two daughters, Theresa Evelyn Soucy and Jodi Lou Soucy; her son-in-law (former), William David Helton; and Theresa’s long-time boyfriend, Steven John Vaplon. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Cassy Lynn Soucy; her two great-grandchildren, Arayanna Lynn Soucy and Tanner David Soucy; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Swing, several nieces and nephews, and many more family members and close friends.
Services will be at Gearhart Funeral Home in Coon Rapids, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN, on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 beginning with the viewing at 11 am, service at 12:30 pm, followed by a gathering at Forest Hill at the burial site at 2 pm. We will conclude with a luncheon in the Jury Room at Billy’s Bar and Grill where a light snack will be served including wings, meat and cheese tray, veggie tray, fruit tray, cookies, coffee, lemonade, and iced tea. A full menu items and other beverages will be available at your own expense.
