Ferne A. Schulz

Ferne Schulz, 95, a resident of Mission, KS passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at Kansas City Hospice House. Ferne was born on September 23, 1930 to Earl and Mildred (Nelson) Moore at their homestead in Divide County, North Dakota. She was the second born and oldest daughter of 11 children. She had 7 brothers and 3 sisters. There was always a lot of work to do on the farm along with helping her mother to care for her younger siblings as she was growing up. When she was young, they did not have running water or electricity in the house. She talked about how their dad would take them to school in the winter in a horse drawn wagon. Her dad put a wood burning stove on the wagon to keep them warm on the way to and from school.

 As fate would have it, the love of her life, Eric Schulz, was stationed at the Air Force Base in Fortuna, North Dakota. They met at a dance at the Blue Moon in Plentywood, MT. They were married on May 5,1953. Eric's job moved the growing family to Kansas, Florida, New York and finally settling in Mission, KS. Eric included Ferne in his interests and hobbies resulting in many adventures in sailing, boating, swimming, ice skating, snow skiing and bicycling, to name a few. Eric and Ferne enjoyed 57 years together.

 Ferne loved her family and many Schulz summer trips included driving to Westby, MT to visit her parents and siblings. Ferne loved gathering her kids and grandkids for holidays and family get-togethers. Many of those gatherings were at their home on Dearborn and later at their home away from home at the Lake of the Ozarks. The Schulz family gatherings on the 4th of July at the lake were like a second Christmas. The fireworks displays, boat outings and shared family meals are joyful memories we will cherish.

Ferne was a devout Catholic and enjoyed working and volunteering at St Pius for many years. She worked in the school cafeteria, was involved with a Circle, volunteered on various committees including setting up for masses, helping with funerals and stringing rosaries. We found many rosary beads on the carpet under her favorite chair from the innumerable rosaries she must have made. She also volunteered in the church office for many years. She spoke fondly of the many dear friendships she had made over the years at St Pius.

Ferne also made many friends at Mission Square. She enjoyed many activities there including dressing up for Halloween parties and donning hats for the Kentucky Derby party to name two of her favorites. She enjoyed playing Rummikub on Sunday afternoons with a regular group. 

Ferne enjoyed growing flowers and plants, and for many years, kept her plants at the St Pius "greenhouse" over the winters. She was an avid reader, sometimes reading 2 books at the same time. One in the afternoon and a different one before bed.Ferne was very active which began with walking the neighborhoods around her Dearborn home. She kept up her habit until just earlier this year, by walking the halls in MIssion Square. She also enjoyed doing yoga for many years. We are certain that her active lifestyle contributed to her 95 years of longevity.

 Ferne is survived by her daughters, Mary Hunter and husband Rick of Overland Park, KS; Marlys Grimes and husband Mark of Lenexa, KS; grandchildren Jeff Hunter of Topeka, KS, Matt Hunter of Olathe, KS, Angela Cloud and her husband Eric from Lawrence, KS; Sara Smith and her husband Brandon from Gardener, KS; Ryan Grimes of Mission, KS; and Joshua Grimes of Lenexa, KS; great grandchildren Clyde Schulz and Addy Hunter; sister, Doris Jacobson of Parshall, ND; brothers Calvin Moore and his wife Shar of White Sulfur Springs, MT and Danny Moore and his wife Val of Plentywood, MT. Ferne is preceded in death by her husband Eric Schulz; her son Michael Schulz; her parents, Earl and Mildred Moore; brothers Richard Moore, Lloyd Moore, Norman Moore, Ronnie Moore and Doran Moore; and sisters Sharon Forinash and Marlys Nordhagen.

A visitation will be held at St Pius Catholic Church in Mission on Monday, May 4th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Catholic Mass at 10:30 a.m. A private ceremony for the family will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to  St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Harvesters Community Food Network.