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Fern (Douthitt) O'Neill

Posted 2016-04-12 by Gayle Nelson
Fern C. O'Neill, 87, of rural Ponca passed away Monday, January 11, 2016, at a Sioux City hospital.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, NE, with the Rev. Andrew Sohm officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, South Sioux city. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today, with a rosary and Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca.
Fern was born on December 10,1928,in rural Ponca, the daughter of Omer and Benardi (Cioli) Douthitt. She graduated from Ponca High School in 1946.
She married Jack O'Neill on July 12, 1949, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson. The couple farmed in rural Ponca and raised three children.
Fern enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to sing, enjoyed baking and cooking, and was well known for her spectacular pies. The last few years she never went through a day without completing crossword puzzles and had become very good at Wheel of Fortune. She loved angels and received many angel figurines as gifts over the years. She was truly a servant of God and put the needs of others before her own needs.
Fern was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson and served on the Altar Society as long as she was able. She was also a member of the Jackson American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons, Patrick O'Neill of Bloomfield, NE, and Mark O'Neill of Ponca; one daughter, Anne and her husband, Tony Stark of Ponca; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Benardi Douthitt; her husband, Jack O'Neill; an infant daughter, Mary Louise; one brother; and six sisters.