Fern Adele Danks was born in Elbowoods, ND, on March 1st, 1937 to Maurice and Clara (Hall) Danks. She was the youngest of their large family. Her life was greatly influenced by the loss of her hearing when she was in elementary school. She was frequently hospitalized for her severe ear infections. During one of these month-long stays, she was able to walk up and down the halls with one of her aunts, who was in labor. She became the first in the family to hold her favorite cousin Darry Hall. They remained close for many years. Despite her hearing loss she maintained good grades, perfect attendance, and attended school at Elbowoods, The Sacred Heart Academy, and graduated her senior year in Newtown, ND, in 1955. She continued her education graduating from Minot State Teachers College in 1957, with a one-year teaching diploma then continuing on with a two-year standard teaching diploma graduating in 1961. Fern married Eugene Black, while pursuing her education and teaching in real schools, she gave birth to three children. The marriage didn’t last but the children did. Leaving the marriage with nothing but her children and her education, Fern began teaching in many rural North Dakota schools, 3 years in Poplar, Montana, and one year in Lodge Pole, Montana. During this time she finished her bachelor’s degree at MSU in Havre, Montana. After Fern’s father, Maurice passed away, her mother Clara joined the small family, helping with babysitting and child care; while Fern taught and went to school. She settled in Scobey, Montana where she taught for ten years, achieving ten year. During this time, she survived cancer, the swine flu, and raising three children. She met and married the love of her life, Don Greff. She retired from teaching, then began to run a small hotel and bar in Medicine Lake, Montana. Choosing to sell the business during the height of the oil boom, the couple retired to his farm and began a small upholstery business. Don farmed while Fern was a farmwife. After Don’s passing, Fern enjoyed being a grandma to her grandchildren and step grandchildren as she adjusted to being a widow. In 2000, she and her sister Marcella Aldinger became the “thelma and louise” of the family. Fern bought a house in Garrison, and Marcella stayed with her as they painted the house and fixed it up, then they bought a motorhome together and frequently would be puttering down the road from one fishing hole to another. Stopping wherever and whenever they darn well pleased. After they parked the motorhome for the winter, Fern settled in at her house in garrison, then decided to go back to school. Becoming a student at FBCC (Fort Berthold Community College) this time she attacked the world of computers, earning her associate degree in information management specialist, graduating May 12th, 2004.
Ferns Loving Family; Sons- Frank Anthony Black (Charmaine), Jonathon Ray Black; Daughters- Mary Black ; Brothers- John Danks, and Solly Danks (Georgianna) ; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Fern is preceded in death by her husband Patrick Donald Greff; her parents; brothers, Quentin Crowe, Richard Crowe, Jim Danks, and Maurice Danks; sisters, Carolyn Crowe (Chase) Bull, Marcella Aldinger and Viola Schettler.
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