Obituary of Fern Funderburk

Graveside services for Fern Funderburk, 100 of Clarinda, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Clarinda Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Clarinda. Memorials are suggested to SW Iowa Humane Society, Clarinda. Following the graveside service the family will host a lunch at Robin's Nest (Vaughn's Cafe) in Clarinda. Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel, Clarinda, is providing arrangements. Fern Mildred was born October 15, 1918 at Esmond, South Dakota to Tony Boyd and Edna May (Baker) Darden. When Fern was very young the family moved to Maryville, Missouri when her father transferred in his railroad job. Fern graduated Maryville High School and soon was married to Hiram S. “Judy” Funderburk on November 8, 1936. The couple had two children, Donald “Skip” and Betty “Sis”. Jude and Fern moved to Shambaugh, Iowa soon after Skip was born and Fern worked at Clarinda Municipal Hospital, or “Muni” as she called it, for 22 years. She then worked as a waitress at the Branding Iron serving many patrons over the years. Fern spent the last several decades as manager of the Clarinda Community Center tending to the donated items and food pantry. Well known in the community and on West Clark Street in particular the Funderburk’s were welcoming people to the kids whether they were troubled or just needed to hide out for a while. Fern and Jude were adopted grandparents to many Clarinda youth. Fern passed away Monday, November 8, 2018 at Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 100. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Judy, son and daughter-in-law Skip and Connie Funderburk, grandson Rick, and brother Earl Darden. She is survived by her daughter, Sis Hammer of Missouri Valley, Iowa; grandchildren: Dee, Jolene, Traci, Daneen, Trent and Greg; great grandchildren Donnie, Danielle, Andrea, Lucas, Jared, Craig, Lauren and Melanie; and many more family and friends.