Obituary of Francis William Fergen

Parkston – Francis William Fergen, 97, went to his heavenly home Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Avera Bormann Manor.  Funeral mass will be Monday, August 5 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.  Visitation will be Sunday, August 4 from 5 to 7 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Fran was born January 3, 1927 to Frank and Eva (Meyer) Fergen in Parkston, SD.  Fran was the fifth of six children.  He attended Sacred Heart parochial grade school and graduated from Parkston High School.

Fran met his future wife, Celine Jung, at a ballgame.  She lived just a few miles down the road from him.  They were united in marriage on August 31, 1948 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Dimock.  They were blessed with nearly 75 years of marriage.  Together, they farmed west of Dimock where they also raised their family of six children.  In addition to farming, Fran worked for Ross Laboratories in Mitchell, SD until it closed.  In 1983, they moved into Dimock where they lived for five years prior to moving into Parkston.

Fran and Celine were active in the community into their early 90’s.  They faithfully attended their grandchildren’s athletic events and activities.   In 2016, they were awarded the Parkston Trojan Fans of the Year award from the Parkston Athletic Booster Club.  They also enjoyed driving into the country and often stopped at the family farm for a visit.

Fran was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Dimock where he taught Religion and was a lector.  After moving to Parkston, he became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  He was also a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was a fan of the Green Bay Packers and Parkston Trojans.  Along with Celine, he delivered Meals on Wheels for 30 years.  

In March 2022, Fran and Celine moved into Avera Assisted Living in Parkston and in August, 2022, moved into Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston 

Grateful for having shared his life are his 5 children:  Larry (Sharon) Fergen of Parkston and their children, Jill Kalda and Heidi Rozeboom; Elaine (Ron) Leischner of Tripp, SD and their children, Ryan Leischner, Lauren Gruenhagen, and Luke Leischner; Kevin (Jenny) Fergen of Dimock and their children:  Wes Fergen, Lacey Bonte, and Maggie Riggs; Keith (Jean) Fergen of Fernandina Beach, FL and their son, Ryan Johnson; and Bev (Donnie) McBrayer of Ethan, SD and their children, Shelby Gerlach and Wyatt McBrayer; a daughter-in-law, Audrey Fergen of Menno, SD and her sons, Chris, Brian, David and Danny Fergen; 48 great-grandchildren with three more on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Celine; a son, Bill Fergen; granddaughter, Jessica Fergen; great-granddaughter, Swayzee Leischner; 2 sisters, Evelyn (Ray) Fechner and Luetta (Ernest) Arnett; and 3 brothers, John (Fanny) Fergen, Alfred (Elinor) Fergen and Casper (Joan) Fergen.