Iris Ferne Hyatt passed away at home, with family by her side, on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016.
She was born Oct. 22, 1917 in International Falls, Mn. to John and Jean (Jenny) Patterson. She moved to Canada at an early age and was raised on the farm in Burriss, Ont., where she attended and completed grade school.
Ferne met her husband, Angus, in 1941 and they were united in marriage on April 25, 1942 in Winnipeg, Man.
Mom loved her youth growing up in Burriss. She broke and trained horses on the farm, drove pulp wood trucks, and worked alongside her dad in all aspects of the farm.
She continued her love of the farm with Angus, where they were one of the top dairy farmers for a number of years.
Ferne was a member of the Redwing Rebekah Lodge in Fort Frances, the Ladies Aid in Burriss, and the Women’s Institute, and also inspired many youth as a 4-H Leader.
She also was an avid sports enthusiast and was proud of being a player on the all-girls ball team. She enjoyed watching all sports on TV, with the Chicago Blackhawks and Bobby Hull being her favourite.
Ferne was predeceased by her loving husband of 69 years, Angus; her parents, John and Jean(Jenny) Patterson; sisters, Ethel Stevens, Eileen Martin, Myrtle Miller (Brown), and Darlene Grennier; and son-in-law, Larry Andrushuk.
She is survived by her children, Sharon Andrushuk, Christine (Gordon) Playter, Patti (Lance) Halstead, Kevin (Pam), and Iris (Randy) Gerhard; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Ferne also is survived by her brother, John (Helen) Patterson; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Beadle, Shirley Mills, and Grace Neilson; brother-in-law Fred (Evelyn) Hyatt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont.
Rev. Frances Flook will officiate, with interment in Burriss Cemetery.
Lunch will follow after the service at noon at the Devlin Hall.
The pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Long-Term Care, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2 or the Fort Frances Community Chest c/o Joelle Blanc-Paull, 700 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2C8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
IRIS HYATT
