A funeral service for John “Jack” Fernau was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, South Dakota, with Selma Serr as organist and Bill Serr as the officiant. Interment was held at Butte Cemetery in Butte, Nebraska. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Casket bearers were John Fernau, Jeff Fernau, JJ Wolf, Josh Rave, Levi Rave, Dusty Seachris, and Kerry Fink. Heidi Mattson, Melanie Gacke, Chelsi Den Herder, Christina Deacon, and Jenelle Rave were honorary casket bearers.
John “Jack” Robert Fernau Sr. was born in Butte, Nebraska, to John “Bud” Joshua Fernau and Merna Selma Fritz. Jack grew up in the Butte area and graduated from Butte High School.
On May 21, 1956, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean Haney, at Community Bible Church in Butte. They loved to dance. Together they welcomed four children: Bob, Cindy, Teri, and Tammy.
Jack was smart, kind, and hardworking, a true farmer and rancher who loved raising crops and cattle and spending time outdoors. He planted a garden every year, enjoyed fishing, and taught his grandchildren how to fish; all they needed was a cane pole and a worm. He said his garden and his fishing dock were his ‘little piece of heaven on earth’. Later in life he enjoyed feeding and watching birds.
Above all, Jack loved his children and grandchildren deeply. He treasured the time he spent with them and the memories they made together.
He passed away on August 25, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Wagner, South Dakota, at the age of 90.
Jack is survived by his children: Bob (Karla) Fernau of Rapid City, South Dakota, Cindy (Charlie) Wolf of Burke, South Dakota, Teri (Roger) Rave of Crooks, South Dakota, and Tammy Lingen of Luverne, Minnesota; grandchildren John (Nicole), Jeff, Heidi (Andrew), Melanie (Michael), J.J. (Rose), Christina (Adam), Josh, Jenelle (Dallas), Levi (Katie), Dusty (Missy), Kerry (Tiffany), and Chelsi; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his sister-in-law Vesta Haney; and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his loving wife, Norma Fernau; his parents John and Merna Fernau; his parents-in-law Frank and Florence Haney; his sister Merna Mae Venker; his brothers Daryl Fernau and Bill Weber; his sisters-in-law Lee Fernau and Donna Haney; his brothers-in-law Lyle and Jim Haney; and his great-granddaughter Mariana Krempges.
