Fern Shamburg

Fern Shamburg passed away at the Fairbury Heritage Care Center on December 25, 2012 at the age of 95. Fern was born to Samuel and Hazel (Ellsworth) Potts in Daykin, NE on March 19, 1917.

She graduated from high school at an early age, attended Doane College and received a teaching certificate. Fern began teaching in Endicott at the age of 18 and continued to teach until her marriage to Vernon Shamburg in January 1942. Her husband died in 1997.

Fern is survived by son Robert Shamburg and his wife Karen of Lincoln, daughters, Jean Tracy and her husband Ivan of Waco, Carol Dart and her husband Stan of Kearney, Mary Johnson of Fairbury, sisters-in-law Dorothy Potts and Verneil Shamburg of Lincoln and Wilma Ryan of Arkansas, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, attentive nieces, nephews and many who knew Fern as “Grandma Nanny.” Besides her husband and parents, four brothers preceded her in death.

Volunteerism and community service were part of Fern’s everyday life for more than 50 years. She served on the Nebraska State PTA Board and later on the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Boards Association and Foster Care Review Board. Other involvement included: Region V Behavioral Services, Blue Valley Community Action, Mother to Mother program and Republican Women. Activities at the church included: United Methodist Women, Jr. Choir director, Sunday School teacher and homemade noodle queen for annual soup suppers. By donating her body to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Fern continues her service after death.

A celebration of life service is scheduled at the Fairbury First United Methodist Church on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Family visitation begins at 10:00 and luncheon served after the service. Memorials are suggested to the church or to the family for designation at a later date.