Ferne Arlene Zerbe was born June 14, 1930, in Max, Nebraska, to Richard A. and Helena (Brethower) Rousselle. She passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, after a brief illness, at the age of 91 on May 1, 2022.
Ferne grew up on a farm during the depression years, going to a one room school house in the country. Later, the family moved to Stratton where she graduated from Stratton High School in 1948. Ferne earned her associates degree in teaching from McCook College. She taught for two years before marrying Paul Zerbe of Lustre, Montana, in Culbertson, Nebraska on June 18, 1952. Together they had three children: Lynell, Galen and Sherrie.
Paul and Ferne farmed and operated Zerbe Brothers’ implement business in Lustre until retiring and moving to Glasgow in 1997. They enjoyed spending their winters in Alamo, Texas at Bibleville and working at the Rio Grande Bible Institute where Ferne made many quilts. She loved crocheting, making afghans and reading. She was involved in several church activities throughout her life including teaching Sunday school, serving Awana meals, participating in Bible studies and partaking in the ladies quilting group. For many years, Ferne was a member of the Evangelical Church Prayer Group. She also attended Christian Women’s Club and most recently filled in as the church secretary. She loved the Lord and led a missional life starting at the age of six, when she accepted the Lord as her Savior.
Her last two years were spent at Prairie Ridge where she was known for her faith and her sense of humor. She felt very well cared for and loved living there.
Ferne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; great-grandson, Christian Gartside; son-in-law, Bob Myers; sister, Evelyn Buller; brother, Duane Rousselle; brother-in-law, Dell Buller, and sister-in-law, Marge Rousselle.
She is survived by daughters: Lynell Gartside of Billings, Montana, and Sherrie (Kurt) Campbell of Missoula, Montana; son Galen (Karla) Zerbe of Glasgow, Montana; grandchildren: Andrew (Desiree) Gartside of Huntley, Montana, Paula Gartside of Billings, Montana, Chelsey (Jatin) Gandhi of Portland, Oregon, Karissa (Scott Moore/fiancé) Campbell of Missoula, Montana, Jillian (Parker) Lee of Plains, Montana, Kole (Allie) Campbell of Plains, Montana, Taylor Zerbe of Glasgow, Montana, Janae (Ashten) Simpson of Larslan, Montana, and Regan Zerbe of Glasgow, Montana; seven great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be open to the public on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana with a prayer service/family receiving friends at 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Evangelical Church in Glasgow, Montana with a luncheon to follow. Burial is private. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Glasgow Evangelical Church 152 Aberdeen, Glasgow, Montana 59230 or Glasgow-City-County Library 408 3 rd Avenue South, Glasgow, Montana 59230.