Fern J. Stuart, 91, Rapid City, SD passed away Friday, April 10, at St. Martin Village, Unity Place.

Fern Jeanette Stuart was born June 30, 1934 at Hettinger, ND to Cornelius and Ruth (Fredlund) LeFebre. She was raised at Lodgepole, attending grade school at Fredlund Country School, before attending Hettinger High School, graduating in 1952. In 1956 she married Gordon Loper. Together they had three children Gary, Kenny and David. They moved to Jamestown, ND in 1973. She later married Lyle Stuart in 1978 and they along with David, moved back to Hettinger. Lyle passed away in 1985. Fern then moved to the Piedmont area in 1990. She had worked part-time for the post office in North Dakota, becoming a full-time employee with the postal service working at Black Hawk and Rapid City post offices. Retiring in the later 1990’s. While working at the post office, she met a delivery driver, Bob Mildenberg and they became inseparable for the next 30 years.

Fern and Bob were side by side, maintaining an immaculate home and yard. Together they enjoyed life, camping, traveling and spending time together.

Survivors include, her best friend, Bob Mildenberg, Rapid City; sons, Gary (Char) Loper, Spearfish, Kenny (Nina) Loper, Deland, FL, David (Julie) Loper, Lemmon; three grandchildren, Dillon (Mariah) Loper, Crosby, ND, Ted Kelso, Dustin Kelso and one-great-grandson, Benton Loper. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Ruth LeFebre; husband, Lyle and siblings, Richard, Carol and Jim.