Fern Elizabeth Ryther, 85, of St. Onge, SD, died Thursday, March 05, 2009 at David M. Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish, SD.

A family & friends service will be at 7:00p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, with visitation for one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services will be at 11:00a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009, with visitation for one hour prior to the service, at the Saint Onge United Church of Christ, with Pastors Jeri & Mitch Behringer officiating, burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 12:30p.m.

Memorials may be given to the Saint Onge UCC Church to benefit the Sunday school program.

Fern was born March 13, 1923 to Clarence M. and Halya E. (Ekstrom) Smith in Newell, SD. She attended Newell High School, where she was a cheerleader and played basketball, graduating in 1940. After graduation Fern was married to Harold V. Berglund. They lived near Belle Fourche before they moved to the Spearfish area, where they lived and raised their three children, Johnny, Arlis and Donna. They moved to Saint Onge in 1969. Fern and Harold were married for over 30 years before he passed away in 1976. In 1978, Fern was married to William Ryther. Fern and Bill made their home across the street from the Saint Onge church where they often entertained their family and friends. They welcomed all and were a source of much entertainment for their grandchildren.

Throughout the years Fern worked at Langer's Jewelry Store, Rimrock Lodge and also wrote for the Queen City Mail and the Whitewood Sentinel. Fern loved music and dancing, and in particular, square dancing. She loved spending time with family, and was always a cherished guest at family gathering during the holidays. She enjoyed going to the Saint Onge church and played the piano for church services for a number of years. She also taught piano lessons at home and reveled in the opportunity to pass on her musical talent. Fern was known for her gardening ability and spent many hours tending to her garden and houseplants. She was involved in community club, garden club, and women's fellowship at the church. Fern was a thoughtful soul with an understated intellect and joyful heart who will be missed by all who knew her.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 30 years, William "Bill" Ryther of St. Onge, one son, Johnny (Janice) Berglund, two daughters, Arlis (Wayne) Lewis, Rapid City, SD, and Donna (John) Thornhill, Henderson, NV, three sisters; Shirley (Andrew) Aronson, Spearfish, Elsie Oedekoven and Carolyn Oedekoven both of Sturgis and one brother, Carl Smith, Council Bluffs, IA and numerous grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, one son and one daughter both in infancy, her husband, Harold V. Berglund, two brothers, Chester Smith and Stanley Smith, and two brothers-in-law, Standley Oedekoven and Vernon Oedekovan.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at: www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com