Ferne Baltzer

Ferne Shirley Baltzer was born on March 10, 1936, in rural Hutchinson County, South Dakota.  She was the second of two children born to Orvil T. and Margaret (Minet) Carey.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith in the First Presbyterian Church of Scotland, South Dakota.
Ferne graduated from Scotland High School in 1954 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, South Dakota.  She touched the lives of elementary-aged students at Werning Rural School (1955); Mitchell Litchfield Elementary (1956); Rapid City Robbinsdale Elementary (1958); Ft Casper Elementary (1959); and Menno Elementary (1967-1991).  She joyfully reflected upon the achievements of her former students.
On June 8, 1958, she was united in marriage to Marvin Otto Baltzer at First Presbyterian Church in Scotland, South Dakota.  Two children were born to this union:  Nancy Ferne and Sue Ann.  They farmed in rural Hutchinson County until retirement (1991).  Ferne enjoyed tending her gardens, helping her children with 4-H projects and singing in the Scotland Community Choir; and church choirs at First Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ.  She was active in Women’s Fellowship Groups, Scotland Civic Club, Chapter AE of PEO, Scotland Hospital Auxiliary, Scotland Community Library Committee and the SD 4-H Foundation.  Marvin and Ferne celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in June, 2018.  They were grateful to have traveled in their retirement years and to have contributed to the Scotland community. 
Ferne celebrated the new lives of her grandchildren:   Michael Ryan, Michelle Ann, Abigail Grace and Benjamin James.  She enjoyed the changing of seasons with each passing year, but particularly loved the new breath of spring.  She passed on the spring morning of March 13, 2019 at the age of 83 years.       
    
“He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows it’s time for setting.” ~ Psalm 104.19
Ferne is survived by her husband, Marvin Baltzer of Scotland, SD;  Marc and Nancy (Baltzer) McClellan of Mobridge, SD;  Dan & Sue (Baltzer) Hughes of Frisco, TX; four grandchildren:  Michael, Michelle (fiancée Kevin), Abigail and Benjamin.  She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dale Carey and sister-in-law, Doris Carey.