Fern Delores Fitzloff

Obituary

Fern Delores (Tomlinson) Fitzloff was born on April 4, 1930, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, the daughter of Arthur and Blanche (Smutka) Tomlinson. She was baptized and confirmed as an adult by Pastor Arthur Koehler at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She grew up on the family farm and attended Country School at Bear Lake, Minnesota, from grades 1 through 8. Fern then attended the Hutchinson High School and graduated with the class of 1948. After graduation, Fern worked as a waitress, bookkeeper, sales clerk at Braun’s, Citizens Bank, and was an assistant city clerk for the City of Hutchinson.

On May 21, 1949, Fern was united in marriage to Earl Fitzloff by Rev. Thomas Harding at First Congregational Church in Hutchinson. Fern and Earl moved to Breckenridge, Minnesota, and started their family. They moved back to Hutchinson in the early 1950’s. Fern and Earl were blessed with six children, Colleen, Gregory, Steven, Sue, Brenda, and Roger. Fern and Earl also lived on Lake Washington in Darwin, Minnesota, for several years. They loved having their grandchildren come out to go fishing and participate in water sports. Earl usually drove the boat while Fern managed the kitchen and had food ready when the kids came in from a wonderful day on the lake. Fern and Earl shared 68 years of marriage until Earl passed away on December 4, 2017.

Fern was a wonderful homemaker to her husband and children. She was also the co-owner of Gambles/Hardware Hank in Hutchinson for 33 years where she was a clerk and the bookkeeper. Fern was an active lifelong member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson where she was a Sunday school teacher, active in bible study, volunteered for the Dorcas Club, and volunteered her time singing in the church choir.  She was also a leader for both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, volunteered at the Hutchinson schools, the Hutchinson Hospital, the Hutchinson Thrift Shop, and Burns Manor in Hutchinson. Fern was chosen as the Hutchinson volunteer of the year in 1995.

Fern’s interests included music, sports, and shopping. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, fishing, cooking, and canning. She cherished every moment she spent with her family, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and friends.

Fern passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 88 years.  

Blessed be her memory.

Fern is survived by her:
Children: Colleen Fitzloff of Hutchinson, MN,
                  Gregory Fitzloff and his wife, Faith, of Georgetown, IN,
                  Steven Fitzloff and his wife, Deb, of Mankato, MN,
                  Sue Fitzloff and her husband, Keith Nordeen, of Minneapolis, MN,
                  Brenda Harper of Bloomington, MN,
                  Roger Fitzloff and his wife, Sheri, of Farmington, MN;
Grandchildren: Brian Fitzloff, Scott Fitzloff, Jonathan Harper, Katie Richards, Jason Harper, and Elliott Fitzloff;
Great-Grandchildren: Austin Harper, Everett Fitzloff, Owen Fitzloff, Ivy Harper, Flynn Richards, Rylee Harper, and Merrick Richards; 
Brother, Arthur Tomlinson and his wife, Maggie, of Champlin, MN,
                Darrel Tomlinson and his wife, Phoebe, of Detroit Lakes, MN;
Nieces, nephews, many other relatives, and friends.

Fern is preceded in death by her: Husband, Earl Fitzloff on December 4, 2017; Parents, Arthur and Blanche Tomlinson; Brother, Ronald Tomlinson; and Sister, Opal Tomlinson.

The family invites everyone to the luncheon at the church immediately following the funeral service.