Fern Wichmann Oehl, age 77, of Amana, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday evening, July 28, 2009. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Friday, July 31, 2009, St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Homestead with Rev. Wayne Woolery officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Thursday, July 30, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Homestead. Memorials may be contributed to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

Fern M. Wichmann was born August 23, 1931 in Amana, the daughter of Adolph, Sr. and Anna Koester Wichmann. She married Carl A. Oehl on September 12, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Homestead. Fern was a homemaker, and she and her husband owned and operated the Colony Market Place in South Amana for over 25 years, along with their Colony Kitchen Foods business. She loved her flowers and gardening and is well remembered for her family meals and angel food cakes.

Fern is survived by her husband of 54 years, Carl; a daughter Carla and a son Scott and his special friend Sue, a grandson Travis and wife Laura Kay Sheely, and a great-grandson Dylan Sheely, all of Amana; three brothers, Raymond and wife Eleanor of Williamsburg, Adolph, Jr. and wife Regina, and Earl and wife Marilyn all of Homestead; and two sisters, Dorothy Folkmann and husband Loren of Williamsburg and Ethel Wichmann of Osage. Also surviving are a sister-in-law Eleanor Wichmann, a brother-in-law, Raymond Oehl and a sister-in-law Emily Oehl, all of Amana, along with many nieces and nephews. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Clarence, and a sister Roma in infancy.