Fern Schnathorst

Barbara Ferne Schnathorst, 96, passed away July 17, 2026. She was born June 28, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to her parents Emmett and Jane Willis. Fern met the love of her life LeRoy Schnathorst at the Iowa State Fair Teen Dance and they were married for 73.5 years before he passed last year.

Fern was a catering manager for many years at the Pepper Tree. She also enjoyed crafting, quilting, and making wedding cakes for friends and family. Fern enjoyed organizing parties or really any reason to have a party. She also enjoyed traveling to California, Colorado, and Kansas to visit her sisters. Fern enjoyed camping, cooking, and water sports as well. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and dog, Dollie.

Fern was a member of the First Church of Christ and enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. She was also an active member of TOPS. Fern was also a member of the Albaugh-McGovern American Legion Post 42 and was a part of the Auxiliary group.

She is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Schnathorst Sr.; son, LeRoy W. Schnathorst Jr.; grandson, Nicholas Hutchinson; parents; 11 sisters; and 1 brother.

Fern is survived by her children, Jane (Mike) Graber, Emmett (Janice) Schnathorst, Barbara Hutchinson, and Randall Schnathorst; daughter-in-law, Sue Schnathorst; sisters, Lois Halterman and Jessie Belle Rivera; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

Family will greet guests from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at First Church of Christ, 310 NW Ash Dr., Ankeny, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the church. Fern will be laid to rest next to Leroy at Iowa Veteran Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr., Adel, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to her church, First Church of Christ, 310 NW Ash Drive, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 or an organization of your choice in loving memory of Fern.

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