Hassebrock, Fern E. (Lewis) 1916-2009

HASSEBROCK, LEWIS, JONES, BOERNER, DUSOVSKY, MATHY, MOON, BRACK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/14/2014 at 09:02:34

Fern E. Lewis Hassebrock, 93, formerly of Lakota, and Des Moines, IA and Cincinnati, OH, passed away peacefully in Delray Beach, FL on December 25, 2009 with her daughters at her bedside.

Fern Elizabeth Lewis Hassebrock was born on February 9, 1916, on the Lewis Homestead, known as Sunny Slope Farm, near Eagle Grove in Wright County, Iowa. She was the fifth child of Frank T. and Elizabeth Mary (Jones) Lewis. At the age of 5 years she moved with her family to a farm four miles southwest of Lakota in Kossuth County, Iowa, where she worked and played with her sister and four brothers: Virgil, Hugh, Howard, Mary Jane and Lawrence. Fern always enjoyed music. Virgil taught her how to play the cornet in 1925 and by October, 1926 she was practicing in the evening with the Lakota High School Orchestra. Later, she studied piano and became a pianist at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakota. Fern graduated from Ledyard Consolidated High School in 1933 as valedictorian of her class. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Rapids. In 1935, Fern interrupted her education to return to help on the farm after her mother died unexpectedly of a heart attack.

Fern resumed her studies in the fall of 1937, transferring to the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, where she completed her sophomore and junior years. On June 25, 1939, Fern was married to Wilbur George Hassebrock at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakota. After a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls and the World's Fair in New York, they moved to Davenport, Iowa, where Wilbur was Pastor of Mt. Ida Presbyterian Church. They moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1942, when Wilbur became Pastor of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Fern gave birth to their two daughters, Eileen in 1942 and Jane in 1945. In 1954, Fern resumed her studies at Drake University in Des Moines and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in August, 1955. Fern was certified to teach elementary school by the State of Iowa Board of Public Instruction. She was a full-time kindergarten teacher in Des Moines public schools from September, 1955 to December, 1962. In January, 1963, the family moved when Wilbur became Pastor of Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fern received her teaching certificate from the State of Ohio Department of Education in September, 1967, and taught kindergarten at Deer Park Public School, Cincinnati, Ohio, from September, 1968 until her retirement in 1979. Fern and Wilbur moved to Delray Beach, Florida in 1985 during retirement. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a dinner and family reunion on June 25, 1989. In June, 1995, they moved to Abbey Delray retirement community in Delray Beach.

Throughout her adult life, Fern was an active member of the Presbyterian Church; singing soprano in the church choir, participating in Women's Circle activities and teaching Sunday school. After moving to Florida, Fern sang soprano in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach every Sunday and was a member of the Delray Beach Chorale, performing in concerts throughout the year.

Fern had a loving relationship with her children. She encouraged her daughters to become independent women by teaching them skills, giving them responsibilities and by her example. She extended her caring to her four grandchildren: Vaughan, Allan, Joanna and Eve. Fern regularly travelled cross-country for family visits until her mid-80s, and always welcomed family guests into her home. After Wilbur's death in June, 1996, Fern's life became more centered on activities within the Abbey Delray community. She sang in the Chapel Choir and was a member of the Song Birds, frequently singing soprano solos. Fern enjoyed the friendship of many fellow residents of the Abbey community.

Although Fern suffered from osteoporosis for many years, she continued to manage her own affairs until she had a major paralytic stroke during the night of December 15, 2009, which caused her death.

Fern will be missed and remembered for her calm, patient manner; her thoughtful, loving kindness; and the subtle charm and grace by which she made her many accomplishments appear easy.

Fern Hassebrock is survived by her daughters Eileen (Wolfgang) Boerner and Jane (Edward) Dusovsky; her grandchildren Vaughan Boerner, Allan Boerner, Joanna (Jon) Mathy and Eve Moon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur G. Hassebrock; her parents Frank T. and Elizabeth Lewis; her sister Mary Jane Brack and her brothers Virgil L. Lewis, Hugh R. Lewis, Howard F. Lewis and Lawrence C. Lewis. ~ The Oakcrest Funeral Services, Bancroft, Iowa June 2009.