Fern Omanson

Fern Elizabeth Omanson, 91, of Sioux Falls, SD died peacefully on Friday, February 24 with her daughters by her side.  Fern was born October 6, 1931, in Hartford, SD to Gustav and Bertha (Leisinger) Rubin.  Fern’s early years were spent in the Hartford, SD area until her family moved to Sioux Falls when Fern was six years old.  She attended Hawthorne and Whittier schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1949.  

On September 2, 1978, Fern married Wilbur Omanson at Faith Temple Church in Sioux Falls.  She worked as a bookkeeper at Sioux Valley Hospital and retired in 1992 after 27 years of employment.  Fern was a member of the Faith Temple Church, DAV Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Tri-State Polio group, Stonecroft Bible Ministries and volunteered for Sioux Valley Hospital’s hospice program.  

Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters Nancy Dirks and Barb (Doug) Smith of Sioux Falls; two step-daughters, Wanda (Bob) Thompson of Minot, ND and Linda (George) Bents of Worthington, MN; one granddaughter, Melissa (Ed) Moix-Montjoy; five step-grandchildren, Steve (Barb) Bents, Jerry (Tracie) Bents, Kim (Corey) Gronewold, Mark (Jenn) Thompson, and Kari (Kenny) Faul; one great grandchild and several great step-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; her parents; brothers, George Rubin and Clarence Rubin; one sister, Ruby Canfield; step-daughter, Linda Bents; step-son-in-law, Bob Thompson; and grandson, Mark Thompson.  

Funeral services will be at 1 pm on Friday, March 3rd at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.  A private burial will follow at Hills of Rest Memorial Park.  The family will be present from 5 to 7 pm at a visitation on Thursday, March 2nd at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.

The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Union Gospel Mission.