LaMoyne J. Fern

LaMoyne J. Fern, 94, Kearney, died October 13, 2016 at the Mother Hull Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Alan Davis officiating. Burial will follow at White Hill Cemetery with Military Rites provided by United States Air Force Funeral Honors Team, Kearney American Legion Post #52, and Kearney V.F.W. Post #759. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2016 at Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to White Hill Cemetery Association or First United Methodist Church. LaMoyne was born March 15, 1922 in Kearney to Delbert and Elizabeth (Patterson) Fern. He grew up in Kearney and graduated from Kearney High School in 1939. LaMoyne lived briefly in California and then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served two years in Guam during World War II, before returning to Kearney in 1946. LaMoyne married Janice English on November 18, 1946 in Oberlin, Kansas. They have lived all but three of their 70 married years in Kearney. LaMoyne worked in Kearney and Minden as a butcher and then sold insurance for Bankers Life of Nebraska. From 1963 to 1969 LaMoyne and Janice owned and operated A&W Drive-In. His exploits at retrieving stolen mugs and slowing down speeders were legendary. They later owned Tastee Freeze near the college. LaMoyne also worked at Kearney Buick, the Sherriff’s Department, and Brodine Inc. He joined the Fire Department in 1971 as a driver and volunteer fireman. He became an Emergency Ambulance Technician in 1982. LaMoyne retired as a driver in 1987. LaMoyne and his wife also owned the Cowpoke Western Store from 1983 until 1995. He drove for Eppley Express from 1991 until 1998. With his curly white beard and mustache, little red nose, cherry cheeks and eyes that twinkle, more than nine thousand children visited LaMoyne since December 1992. That was the beginning of his service as “the real Santa” in the Christmas Gingerbread House on Central Avenue. Every year he began growing his beard in August. During the holiday season he worked three days a week and talked to an average of 900 children of all ages. LaMoyne was a member of First United Methodist Church, Corvair Society of America, Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America. LaMoyne could fix anything and everything. He enjoyed tinkering, woodworking, and traveling the world with his wife. LaMoyne is survived by his wife Janice; daughter Julie Thatcher and husband Fred of Overland Park, KS; son John Fern and wife Janis of Glenvil, NE, daughter-in-law Barb Fern of Grand Island, NE; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and sister Betty Harty of Denver, CO. LaMoyne was preceded in death by his son Jeff.

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LaMoyne J. Fern

March 15, 1922 - October 13, 2016