Fern Rohde Simons

Rolla

Fern Irene Rohde Simons lived her life with a grateful heart, a steadfast faith, and a love for family and friends that knew no limits.

Fern was born on September 25, 1930, in Pettibone, North Dakota, the sixth of seven children of Fred and Inga (Paulson) Rohde. Fern was raised on the family farm near Pettibone, ND and was baptized and confirmed at Pettibone Lutheran Church. After graduating from Pettibone High School in 1948, she attended the New York Hairdressing Academy in Fargo. Fern went on to own and operate Fern’s Beauty Studio in Pettibone, where her warm smile, listening ear, and sense of style made everyone feel special.

On August 17, 1958, Fern married K.W. “Bill” Simons. Their 49 years together were filled with faith, love, laughter, and countless memories as they raised three daughters and built a home that was always filled with warmth not only for their own children, but also for some of Bill’s students who called their home their own for a time.

Fern was known for her elegance, her grateful heart, and her ability to make life beautiful for those around her. She was organized and efficient, a talented seamstress, and a devoted and faithful friend. Fern never met a cookie she didn’t like and always had time for a hot cup of coffee. She never missed a celebration and loved to dance, whether it was a formal event or just a tune playing in the kitchen. She enjoyed traveling, adventuring to Europe multiple times and across the United States. She was very proud of the trip she took to Florida on a bus for the Minnesota Twins Spring training camp with her sister-in-law. However, Fern always said that coming home was her favorite part.

Faith was at the center of Fern’s life. She served as the parish secretary of Our Saviors Lutheran in Rolla, ND for over 26 years. Her time spent there was not merely secretarial in nature however as you could find Fern everywhere; baking pies and donuts for the Bazaar, on her hands and knees quilting on a Wednesday afternoon with her loyal quilting friends, attending bible study, or in the kitchen serving a meal for fellowship. She also completed training in the ELCA Deaconess program, which allowed her to further serve others. Her greatest calling was to love God, serve her community, and guide others in their faith.

Fern’s joys included family gatherings, chatting with friends, dancing, traveling, sewing, aerobics, reading, golfing, Twins baseball, and listening to big band music. She could shop til she dropped (especially for cute shoes) and taught all the women in her life how to find a good bargain. She was always keenly aware of her blessings and ready to welcome others in her home and at her table.

Fern passed away peacefully in her home on August 14, 2025, surrounded by love.

She is the proud mother of Roberta (Bill) Mathiason, Rebecca (Scott) Ward, and Bonita (Vince) Ferretti; grandmother to Amanda (Kyle) Watts, Megan (Tim) Allard, Lars Mathiason (Danielle), Rachel (Jon) Portinga, Nicole (Joe) Erb, Morgan (Max) Sigler, and Matthew Ferretti; and great-grandmother to Morgan, Cole, Harrison, Elliot, and Grant Allard; Raven, Wren, Phoenix, Hawk and Griffon Watts; Keily, Destiny, Emmy, Baylor, and Hazel Mathiason; August Erb; and Quinn and Jones Sigler.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Inga Rohde; her husband Bill; her foster son, Vine Whiteface; siblings and in-laws, Hank (Dolores) Rohde, Forest (Eunice) Rohde, Glen Rohde, Lorenz (Opal) Rohde, Joyce (Cal) Hagberg, Beverly (Pete) Kaczmarski, and nephews Kirk Rohde, Mark Rohde, and Fred Kaczmarski.

A family service will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., and a memorial service on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., both at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rolla, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Saviors Lutheran of Rolla, ND, Mill Lake Cemetery Fund of St. John, ND, or the Rolla Arts Council.

She leaves behind a legacy of faith, friendship, and unconditional love that will be cherished and used as a guide for generations. Fern would encourage you to spend time with the people you love, care for your neighbors, and always take time to dance.

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 23, 2025.