Fern E. McKeown, 96, died Friday, August 10, 2012 at the Brookings Hospital. She was born April 24, 1916 at Elkton, SD to Barthol and Mollie (Tomscha) Wiskur. She received her education at St. Mary's School. Fern was married to E.B. "Bus" McKeown on February 1, 1942 at Elkton and they lived in Massachusetts while Bus was in the military. They returned to Elkton where Fern raised her family and also babysat in her home and did nursing home care for several years. Her husband preceded her in death on September 25, 2002 and Fern moved to Brookings, SD in 2008. She was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, church guild and Tuesday Nighters Club. Fern enjoyed Lawrence Welk, dancing, gardening, flowers, canning, baking, babies and her grandchildren.

Fern is survived by 6 children, Milton (Deb), Heron Lake, MN, Gary (Peg), Brookings, Barb (Pete) Mersch, Sioux Falls, Terry (Jeanine), Brookings, Jerry (Peg), Callaway, MN, Rick (Rea), Brookings, 17 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Fern was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one brother Edward Wiskur.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Monday, August 13, 2012 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton, with burial in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is from 3:00 – 5:00 pm Sunday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton, with a 5:00 pm rosary.