Fern Hernandez

I will miss Fern. I was honored to be her pastor for 20 years. Short of stature, she was a strong, strong woman. I can hear her laugh in my mind even now. I loved her commitment to the church, to her community within the church and to her family. She and Ray were a joy to be with, and she was a steadfast support and care giver for him as his needs increased late in life. I wish you, Rob and Gina, and Maria and all the grandkids fond memories of her involvement in your lives.

We remember Fern as a beautiful, compassionate, caring person of faith, adored by her husband, Ramon, and by her children. She lived her life for her family and in the discipleship of Jesus. A precious friend to so many of us. Frederick and Louise Trost

Fern was an angel, a joy to be with. As a classmate and friend of Ray's, I was invited to be in their wedding. With my wife Eleanor and sons Ted and Tim, we visited them in Wisc. and they visited us, in retirement, here in Iowa. Miss them very much!

Dear Maria and Rob, I was so sorry to learn of your mother's death. She was a very dear and sweet woman. The world was better for her being in it. We were friends because your dad and my husband and I shared ministry (I was the wife) Elmhurst and Eden together. I am Rheda Schultz. Jon and I enjoyed being friends with your mom and dad. We shared stories about Elmhurst and Eden and ministry in Madison. We loved hearing stories about sports - I think I remember that your dad was a real Cubs fan. One touching thing about your mom that I treasure is that she often would send a card and enclose a little money in it. It was such a generous and kind thing to do and made me feel like she was my mother (she was 6 years older than i!) I have tried to duplicate this kindness with some of my friends. I thought about your mom a lot after your dad died. I meant to keep track of her but life interupted. Jon was diagnosed 5 years ago with cancer and died on October 31, 2019. (I am struck by the fact that your mom died almost 2 years after he did.) I want to send my love to you both. I know how proud your mom and your dad were of you both. Can you please let me know if you have a memorial service? With great fondness, Rheda Schultz (rhedas@sbcglobal.net)

Fern and Ramon were such wonderful people. I will always remember Fern's warmth and smile in the several times I visited her and Ray when I was serving Plymouth UCC in Madison. (I also well recall Ray's wonderful sense of humor and stories told at clergy breakfast gatherings served up with Bob Mutton's pancakes! I feel blessed to have been touched by both of their lives... and by their son Rob's as well! - Rev. Charles Wolfe