Fern Violet Achtenberg

     Born August 21, 1930 in New Leipzig, ND and passed away January 4, 2020 in Shoshone, ID at 89 years old.

     Fern was the oldest daughter to Gottfried and Leontina (Hochhalter) Hintz with two sisters and three brothers completing the family. After growing up on the family farm she completed high school and went on to teach school for three years before she met and married Rudolph (Rudy) Achtenberg on December 26, 1950 in their hometown of New Leipzig, ND. Their first son Rickie (Rick) Achtenberg was born on September 19, 1952 in Lemmon, SD. They soon made their way west to Washington where their second son, Keith Achtenberg was born on March 3, 1958 in Renton, WA. They soon bought their own piece of land and both started working for the Boeing Company. As the boys got older, they enjoyed taking them camping and boating. When Rudy and Fern both retired from Boeing, they decided to find their retirement home and move closer to the water. They settled in Brinnon, WA on the Hood Canal and later downsized their boat to a small crabbing, shrimping, and fishing boat. When the boys would come visit you could find them out on the beach digging for clams or out on the boat pulling in a fresh catch for dinner.

     In 1993 her oldest son became very ill and while in the hospital for a short while passed away at the age of 41. A few years later her husband Rudy became ill and was in a hospital in Seattle when he succumbed to his lung cancer in November of 2002. Just two months later on January 4th her son Keith passed away in his home.

     Fern moved to Olympia to be closer to family and amenities that were within walking or bus distance to shopping, groceries, doctors and a hospital. She loved living in Olympia and quickly became good friends with some of the other ladies in the neighborhood. They would often go to lunch together and have weekly game nights. Her sisters would visit often as they were only a short distance apart.

     Fern enjoyed traveling with her sisters and their families as they got to enjoy the scenery of the United States, even traveling to Australia and New Zealand. After many wonderful years in Olympia it was time for her to be closer to her only grandchild and she moved to Shoshone, ID. With family lovingly at her side she succumbed to her battle with lung cancer on January 4th. She is survived by her Granddaughter, Jaelyn; Grandson-in-law, Brandon; Great Granddaughter-in-law, Ellie; her sister, Marge; and her brothers, Murlin and Delbert.

     She is proceeded in death by her parents, Gottfried and Tina; her sons, Rick and Keith; her husband, Rudy; her Sister, Claudine; and her brother, Wilbur.

     Fern will be buried next to her husband and son in North Dakota. Burial will take place in Elgin, North Dakota under the direction of Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.

     A pot luck/celebration of life will held on Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the V.F.W. Post #1949 @ 44426 244th Ave. S.E. Enumclaw, Washington  98022.

     Local arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Shoshone Chapel.