On December 24, 1932 in Highland Township, a very special Christmas gift arrived in the Viken household to Edward and Cathanka (Rodway). She was named Ferne Elaine Viken. This special gift touched many people and family members throughout the following 87 years.
Ferne spent her younger years growing up and attending school in the Sioux Falls area. On September 28, 1950, she married Elmo Enstad. They started their family in Canton and eventually settled with their six children in Sturgis. Ferne and Elmo spent 47 years together. Elmo passed away in 1997.
In addition to maintaining a large family household with Elmo, Ferne worked full time at the Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Hospital. She was a tireless employee who was committed to working hard every day. Thirty-six years later, she received a commendation from the VA Building Management Service for her excellent work. On her retirement day, through an Executive Proclamation, Governor George S. Mickelson declared December 26, 1992 as Ferne Enstad Day in South Dakota.
Living only a couple of blocks from downtown Sturgis, Elmo and Ferne hosted many rally guests - some who became life-long friends, including Larry Beelaert, Washington state. Rally goers knew that the coffee pot was always on and conversation was always welcomed at the Enstad corner.
Ferne cherished the wall of family pictures in her room at the Sturgis Regional Nursing Home. She centered her life on her family and enjoyed each and every one of them very much. She also enjoyed word search books and winning at BINGO, which was evident by the stash of bead necklaces, pile of quilts, and array of stuffed animals showcased in her room.
What Ferne did not like was the onset of COVID-19. Aside from seeing her daughter, who works in the nursing home, and receiving limited outside visits and phone calls; visibility to her family stopped abruptly, which saddened her very much. The family is grateful to Marlys, Marlene, and Amy who, throughout Ferne's widowhood and stay in the nursing home, extended an over-abundance of care. Thank you for all you did to assure us that she was always in good hands.
Ferne passed away at the nursing home on October 19, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and three infant children.
Ferne will be forever missed by her children, Curt Enstad of San Diego, CA, Scott Enstad of Nisland, Rod (Gogie) Enstad of Rapid City, Marlys Enstad of Rapid City, Marlene (Mark) Krenn of Sturgis, and Roger Enstad of West Berlin, NJ; her grandchildren, Steven, Rebecca, Sarah, Racheal, Derek, Wendi, Tess, Amy, Brandon, Kelsey, Shae, Shannon, and Matthew; and her great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Shalese, Walter, Bernadette, Cecelia, Madison, Christian, Michael, Evan, Jayden, Marcus, Ethan, Lucas, and Brekkin.
A family service will be held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel on Friday afternoon, October 23, 2020. Family members who cannot attend have been designated honorary pallbearers. Ferne's service can be viewed live at 1:00 pm at https://www.facebook.com/KinkadeFuneralChapel . Following the service, Ferne will be laid to rest with Elmo at Black Hills National Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to Toys for Tots in celebration of Ferne's birthday and her wishes that all children receive gifts at Christmas time.

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