Fern Marie Loes, age 95, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Westminster Presbyterian Church (3801 E. 26th St., Sioux Falls, SD). Family will be present for visitation from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel (507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD).

Fern Marie Decker was born on April 18, 1929, to Christopher and Dora (Arduser) Decker on the family farm near Monticello, IA; a farm that remains in the extended family. She attended country school through eighth grade, then Monticello High School, graduating in 1947.

Fern served as a dental assistant in Monticello for two years before attending the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, MN. Following graduation, she was employed as a Medical Laboratory Technician at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA.

On August 24th, 1952, Fern was united in marriage to Paul F "Dutch" Loes in Cascade, IA. The couple resided in Cascade where they had their first child in 1954, before moving to Cedar Rapids, IA in 1955. Fern became a busy homemaker following the birth of their four sons, Mark, Gary, Eric, and Todd. As the boys became involved in many sports while growing up, she became the transportation service for them to their athletic practices and games over the course of several years. Fern was also involved in their many school activities.

The family moved to Sioux Falls in 1973 due to a job transfer for Dutch. Fern became involved in the County Extension Homemakers as a member of the Sew Arts Club. This group later became Friends Forever – a long-time treasured group of friends. She also enjoyed the Wednesday morning neighborhood coffee group. Teaching herself to sew, she became an experienced seamstress, sewing many of her own garments and sometimes shirts for the boys plus window treatments for their home.  Fern enjoyed traveling, music, visiting care centers, and involvement with friends. She enjoyed the community concerts as well as other local entertainment. She served the community by delivering Meals on Wheels for over twenty years.

As a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Fern served on the boards of Elder and Deacon plus was a choir member.  For many years, she helped assemble the Chimes Newsletters.

In later years, Fern's biggest accomplishment was gathering information, pictures, and articles which she assembled into Memory Books for her sons.

In 2019 Fern moved to an assisted living apartment at Washington Crossing and then to Avantara Norton skilled nursing facility in 2021. She was very grateful for the friendship and care she received from the staff and residents of both facilities. In those final years, Fern was very active, making many new friends and participating in various activities such as bingo, bible study, movies, on-site music recitals, celebrating birthdays, etc. Coming full circle, Fern, who was once Queen of The Great Jones County Fair (Iowa), eventually became Avantara Norton Prom Queen.

Fern was a lifelong baseball fan, eventually becoming an avid Minnesota Twins follower.

Paul, known as "Dutch," preceded Fern in death on December 19th, 2011.

Fern is survived by her four sons, Mark (Penny) and Eric (Cate) of Franklin, TN; Gary (Mary Ann) of Solana Beach, CA; Todd (Robin) of Waterloo, IA; sister-in-law Kathleen Decker of Monticello, IA; and five grandchildren, Daniel, Julia Frazier (Franklin), Margaret, Matthew, and Jack. She was preceded in death by husband "Dutch"; parents, Christopher and Dora Decker; sister, Ruth Rodgers; and brother, Clifford Decker.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorials may be directed to:

Camp Courageous, Monticello IA - https://campcourageous.org/

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Sioux Falls SD - https://westminster-pres.org/