Fern Harper Zurn

Fern Harper Zurn, 90, formerly of Monroe, passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, at Calvin Community Nursing Center in Des Moines. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Monroe Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Silent City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Memorials may be directed to Calvin Community Nursing Center and condolences may be left for the family at coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The daughter of Cecil and Lucille (Hilgers) Stepleton, Fern was born Aug. 12, 1929, in Mason City. Fern was united in marriage to Harry E. Harper for 33 years. He passed away in 1976. She later married Bob Zurn and they were together for 25 years. He passed away in 2013. Fern was a member of the Monroe Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed playing cards and Fast Track and dancing in her younger years. Fern was a curious and caring person and especially enjoyed the time spent with her family and friends.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Marie (Robert) Miller; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her four siblings, Thelma Shannon, Norman (Kathy) Stepleton, Doris (Jake) Flanagan and Cecilia Kay (George) Bell; and son-in-law, Ron Sneller; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents; both husbands; and her daughter, Cecilia Sneller.