Fern Marie (Russell) Wills, 83, of Curtis, Nebraska, died November 12th, 2012, at Hilltop Estates after a long illness. She is the daughter of Benjamin Sr. and Ellen (Jenson) Russell.

Fern was born November 22nd, 1928, north of Curtis. She graduated from NSA high school in Curtis earning a teaching certification.

She was offered a teaching position in Ekalaka, Missouri, shortly after graduation, where she taught with her good friend Verna Lee Kettleman. Upon completion of her contract in Ekalaka, she returned home and taught for the Stockville School District for several years. Fern married Leslie (Deac) Wills on November 26th, 1952, in a double wedding with their best friends, Hilda and Lloyd (Gus) Wolgamott.  Their marriage was blessed with four children, Monte Marie, Sandra Lynn, Russell Corwin and Gary Merle.

After her children were all in school, Fern worked at several jobs including selling Playhouse Toys, proof reading and subscription sales at the Highline Enterprise and cooking and driving school bus at Medicine Valley High School. Fern especially enjoyed her time with her bus kids, both on route and activity trips.

Fern was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Curtis and was active in Methodist Women, Vacation Bible School and Congregational Care. Fern’s strong faith and willingness to serve was instilled in her children at an early age.

She is survived by her children Monte Kotrous (Val) of Houston, Texas, Sandy Wills, Rusty Wills (Shelly) and Gary Wills (Vivian), all of Curtis; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brothers and sister: Tom Russell, Anna May Gorley, Raymond Russell (Donna) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband Deac, her parents, Ben and Ellen Russell and her brothers and sisters, Robert Russell, Nita Anderson, Ben Russell, Jr. and June McGinnis. 

Visitation will be held at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska; Monday, November 26th, 2012, from 1 p.m.-8 p.m.

Services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Curtis, November 27th, 2012, at 10 a.m. with Forney, Bonnie officiating. Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 402 Center Curtis, NE 69025 or Medicine Valley Foundation. 

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.