Louise Irene Fernkopf, 90, of Holton, passed away Friday, January 2, 2015 at the HoltonCommunity Hospital, where she had been for less than a day. Due to her failing health, she had resided with her daughters, Anna and Mary for the past year.

She was born March 24, 1924 near Holton, the daughter of John M. and Hazel Ray Schlodder.

Louise attended the HazelGrove Grade School. She was an active member of the Parallel 4-H Club and Christian Endeavor of the Pleasant GroveUnited BrethrenChurch. She graduated from Wetmore Rural High School, receiving a normal training teacher certificate. She taught school at Pea Ridge and CirclevilleElementary schools.

She volunteered as a primary Sunday School teacher at the Pleasant Grove United Brethren and Circleville United Methodist churches for a total of fourteen years. She served as an officer and did volunteer duties for the Recreation Club and Senior Executives of Circleville, the Jackson Heights Endowment Board, and the Jackson County Historical Society.

Louise was a board member of the Circleville ElementarySchool District for nine years, and member of the Jackson County School Board Association. She retired as clerk of the Jackson Heights School Board on December 31, 1983, after twenty years of service.

She was a member of the EvangelUnited MethodistChurch in Holton.

Louise quilted over one hundred quilts for her family, hundreds of crocheted items, and especially enjoyed making felt Christmas ornaments for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Louise married Clyde Fernkopf on February 11, 1949 in Holton. He died June 13, 1968.

She was also preceded in death by her parents in March of 1968, a daughter, Neva Fraley, on August 14, 2011 and a brother, Johnny Schlodder in 2004.

Survivors include her daughters, Anna Wilhelm and husband Virgil, Holton, and Mary Boyles and husband Steve, Topeka; her sons, John Fernkopf and wife Jane, Topeka, and Fred Fernkopf and wife Sheila, Holton; her son-in-law, Arcle Fraley, Topeka, and her sister, Mary Ann Nissen, Wetmore. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Wilhelm, Edwardsville, IL, Eric Wilhelm, Portland, OR, Brad Boyles, Oak View, MO, Barry Boyles, Topeka, Mark, Paul and Carl Fernkopf, Topeka, Jolene Bextel, Rose Hill, KS, Brandy Fraley, Topeka, David Fernkopf, and Sherri Farwell, Topeka, ten great grandchildren, with two more on the way, and one foster great grandchild.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Holton Community Hospital Hospice for their caring support this past month.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 6th at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Louise will lie in state until service time at the funeral home. The casket will remain closed. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jackson Heights Endowment Fund, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. On-line condolences may be made at