Obituary of Fern Mettler

Mettler, Bernelda "Fern" Passed away on October 14, 2014. Fern was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, on November 19, 1925, to Russell Sage and Clara (Curl) Carter. In 1944, while attending Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, and working as a cafeteria waitress, she met and married Delos Putnam "Jack" Mettler, an Army soldier returning wounded from the South Pacific. They were married in San Antonio, Texas, and she was his "Rose of San Anton" for the rest of both of their lives. They raised 4 children, Delos Jan Mettler, Darald Gene Mettler, Waneta Beth Kukes, and Susan Faye Vien, and much later, 3 grandchildren, Chad Mettler, Rosa Mettler, and Micheal Chavez. Fern was preceded in death by Jack (1996), her parents and a brother, Courts. She is survived by two sisters, Waneta Chrystal and Betty Dickey, 9 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. Fern and Jack wanted to be farmers but the economy led first one, and then both of them, to work off of their farm in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. The farm went as well, and there followed many moves and changes of jobs as they worked to earn a better living for their family. Eventually (1963) they settled in Ellensburg, WA, where they both worked for CWSU until retirement in 1982. Fern worked as a secretary to Dean Crum, and Jack worked as a painter. After retirement, they moved to St. Maries, Idaho, and raised Chad, Rosa, and Micheal in their dream home on the Shadowy St. Joe River. When the kids became involved in school and sports, they moved into town where they became enthusiastic supporters of all the kids' activities. After Jack died in St. Maries in 1996, Fern moved back to Ellensburg, WA, to be closer to friends and daughter Nena's family. Fern worked as a volunteer hostess at the historic Olmstead Place State Park near Kittitas for ten more years. In 2009 she was given the "Outstanding Volunteer of the Year" award by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Department. With gradually failing health, Fern was forced to move into more carefully monitored housing and in 2014, moved into an Adult Family Home in Spokane Valley, near her son, Jan. The Memorial Service is to be held in St. Maries at the Church of the Nazarene at 11:00 a.m. on November 1. Pastor Dan Swan has graciously come out of retirement to lead the Service. Visit her online memorial and sign her guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Fern Mettler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.