Memorial
Claire Louise Roberts Fernow, 91, of Marion, died at St. Luke’s Hospital Saturday, March 21. She was born March 26, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, daughter of Carroll and Amy Schenken Roberts of Springville, Iowa. She graduated from Springville High School in 1940 and attended Cedar Rapids Business College. She worked for an insurance company, and in 1943 she volunteered for the US Navy (WAVES) during World War II. She received a Yeoman 2nd rating and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where she worked in the Service School Office.
She married Lloyd W. Fernow on June 19, 1945, and was discharged from the Navy on August 11, 1945. She was a homemaker and assisted Lloyd with farming and their business, Fernow Spray Service until his death in 2006. She is survived by three children, Susan Yinger and husband Vince Yinger of Des Moines; Cheryl Frey and husband Jim Frey of Foster City, California; and James Fernow of Cary, North Carolina; a sister, Janette Jacobs of Bull Shoals, Arkansas; a brother, John Roberts and wife Sherrill of Marion.
Grandchildren include David Eick and wife María Fidalgo-Eick of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Jennifer Eick-Magán and husband José Luís Magán of Homewood, Illinois; Angela Conklin and husband Kevin Conklin of Oswego, Illinois; Beth Carrasco and husband Franklin Carrasco of Cary, North Carolina. Great-grandchildren are Sofía Magán and Lucía Magán of Homewood, Illinois; Justin Spencer and Courtney Conklin of Oswego, Illinois; Alec and Alex Spencer and great-great grandson Elijah Spencer of Davenport, Iowa; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation: March 29 from 2-4 pm at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.
Services: March 30 at 11 am, First Presbyterian Church, Marion
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to St. Luke’s Foundation, Hospice department, or to the charity of your choice.
The family deeply appreciates St. Luke’s Hospice staff for the kindness and care they gave Claire.