Ferne Michael

Ferne Ruth Michael died at Josephine Caring Community of Stanwood, WA on August 8, 2022.

She treasured her family, friends, church, and neighbors – always wanting to be involved and lend a hand. Ferne was an outspoken member of the Johnston Historical Society, her naval uniform on long-term display in their museum. She was a long-time employee of Des Moines Public Schools, serving as a secretary.

Ferne was born to Paul and Margaret Bice (Murray) on September 17, 1923. She graduated from Johnston High School in 1942 – later inducted into their Alumni Hall of Fame as a Dragon Basketball Player. After high school Ferne worked as a secretary until the beginning of the war when she enlisted in the US Navy as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). While serving with the WAVES Ferne achieved that rank of Specialist Third Class and played on the US Navy Women’s Basketball Team. When the WNBA was founded in 1996, Ferne insisted that she and her teammates would have all played professionally. Since she wasn’t quite five feet tall, her grandchildren could be forgiven for giggling at her. Ferne was delighted when her great-granddaughter was the first to follow in her basketball loving footsteps after she had failed to push all of her grandkids into playing.

Ferne was a devoted mother, grandmother, and wife. She would tell absolutely anyone about her “precious angels” and loved to hear about her many great grandchildren. When the children were small, she would buy them gifts on each other’s birthdays so no one would feel left out. Ferne was also a crafter – making quilts but mostly specializing in crochet. Before holidays like Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day she would make hundreds of crocheted Jack O’ Lanterns or Shamrocks for her grandchildren to give to classmates, her husband Lloyd to give to coworkers or for her daughter to hand out to her students. Ferne worked endlessly in her yard during retirement, creating a beautiful garden where she and Lloyd spent hours together.

Ferne’s legacy will be honored by her daughter Kathrine Lauer of Camano Island, WA and son Lloyd Eugene Michael II of Perry, IA. She will be deeply missed by her five grandchildren: Abigail Lauer, Bliss Scott, Nicole Crawford, Ryan Michael, and Elizabeth Lauer Reed. She will also be mourned by her thirteen great grandchildren. Ferne was proceeded in death by her loving husband of more than seventy years, Lloyd Michael, her daughter Marcia McPherren and her grandson Michael McPherren.

The family would like to thank the Josephine Caring Community for their loving care of Ferne during her last years. In lieu of flowers they would ask for any donations to be sent to Josephine’s in her honor at 9901 272nd Pl NW, Stanwood, WA 98292.

A Memorial service for Ferne will be held on October 1, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Urbandale, IA.