Fern Edith (Caywood) Heitz, 94 of Sargent, passed away Dec. 15, 2013, at her home.
She was the oldest of nine children, born Aug. 20,1919 at Broken Bow, to
Edward Milton and Lillian Grace (McCaslin) Caywood. She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1938.
She became a Christian, accepting Christ as her Savior as a young woman and was baptized Dec. 21, 1947. Then she spent the rest of her life following in Jesus' footsteps.
On Saturday, the day of her service -- December 21, 2013, it was the 72nd anniversary of her accepting Christ and being baptized.
She worked for Al and Beulah Scritsmier, where she met her future husband, L.P. "Bud" Heitz. They were united in marriage Sept. 19, 1952, and celebrated 61 years of marriage. To this union, four children - three girls and one boy - were born. Also, for several years her niece, Jill (Schoolcraft) Wood, made her home with the Heitz family.
Fern was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, giving selfessly to her family, friends, and her church. She worked at the Sargent Nursing Home for 15 years in the kitchen and volunteered with
activities such as bingo. She was an avid reader, and also enjoyed cooking, quilting, creating recycled plastic crocheted rugs, making Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls, and gardening. For years, she has had a cactus collection. She was a recycler before her time. Throughout her life she
lived in many different communities, therefore she made many friends, and spent the last 40 years in the Sargent community.
Memorial/celebration service was Dec. 21,2013, at the Sargent Church of Christ with Pastor Marty Robbins officiating. Cremation followed the services. Inurnment will be at Broken Bow Cemetery at a later date. .
She is survived by her husband, Bud; her daughters, Terry (Keith) Jones of Broken Bow, Holly Holloway-Holmen of Wisconsin, Wanda (Bob) Drake of Lincoln; and her son, Joel Heitz of Cozad. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Christopher Jones (Heather Glendy), Jeff Jones (Melanie White), Elizabeth (Ryan) Anderson, Tyler Holloway, Travis (Gina Kay) Holloway and Drew Hollowa; great-grandchidren, Korben Jones, Addie Mae Jones, Evan Holloway, Brooklyn Jones, and step-great-grandchildren, Brianna and Aaron Glendy. She is also survived by sisters, Anna Schoolcraft, Catherine McElroy, Edna Sprenger, Eleanor (Bob) Lafler, Janice Howle, and Eileen Muich; and brothers, James (Virginia) Caywood and John Amsberry, along with many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Willie Holloway; her parents, Edward and Lillian Caywood; sister, Shirley Koppisch; sister-in-law, Joan Amsberry, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Schoolcraft, E. T."Mac" McElroy, Keith Sprenger, Arch Howle, and Ernest Koppisch.
Iverson Memorial Chapel of Broken Bow was in charge of arrangements.

Published in Custer County Chief, Dec. 26, 2013