Fern Marie (Russell) Wills

Fern Marie (Russell) Wills

Nov. 22, 1928 - Nov. 12, 2012

CURTIS, Nebraska -- Fern Marie (Russell) Wills, 83 of died Nov. 12, 2012, at Hilltop Estates after a long illness.

She was born Nov. 22, 1928, to Benjamin Sr. and Ellen (Jenson) Russell, north of Curtis. She graduated from NSA high school in Curtis earning a teaching certification. She taught at Ekalaka, Missouri, and at the Stockville School District for several years. She married Leslie (Deac) Wills Nov. 26, 1952. She sold Playhouse Toys, worked at the Highline Enterprise proofreading and subscription sales and drove a school bus at Medicine Valley High School.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Curtis and was active in Methodist Women, Vacation Bible School and Congregational Care.

She 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.

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

Services are at First United Methodist Church in Curtis, Nov. 27, 2012, at 10 a.m. with Forney Bonnie officiating.

Interment will follow in the Curtis Cemetery in Curtis.

Visitation will be at Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Curtis, Nebraska, today until 8 pm.

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.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.