Ferne Hillman

Ferne Hillman, age 81, of Sault Ste. Marie, MI passed away peacefully at home Monday, April 23, surrounded by family. After a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, all of her children were home to see her and help care for her in her final days. Born Audrey Ferne Peterman April 25, 1925 in Fiborn Quarry, Michigan, she married Arthur Hillman at the First Presbyterian Church in the Sault on October 29, 1947. They would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. In 1943, Ferne graduated from Sault High School. She then graduated from the beauty school in the Sault and operated Seymour Beauty Shop in her home at 931 Seymour Street. Her customers would remember being served coffee and sweets while under the dryer. Ferne was a Cub Scout and Blue Bird Leader, Room Mother, and Sunday School Teacher. She supported her children and grandchildren in school, music, sports, and scouting. She enjoyed Sewing Club each month and was a charter member from 1950. A feature story on the club was published recently in The Evening News. Ferne was a member of Ruth Circle of Central United Methodist Church and for many years actively helped with activities at church. Her hobbies included baking, crocheting, and fishing with her husband at a family cabin on Trout Lake. She enjoyed watching the Young & The Restless for 33 years, and also dabbled in painting and woodcarving. Following retirement 21 years ago, Ferne and Art were Winter Texans with a home in Edinburg, Texas, where they made many special friends at Citrus Mobile Park. Ferne founded the Citrus Red Hots in Texas and was the Queen of that chapter of the Red Hat Society. She had such fun dressing in red and purple. Ferne is survived by her loving husband, Art; six devoted children: Steven (Marlene) of the Sault; David (Annie) of Chaska, MN; Robert (Kelly) of Kassel, Germany; Dorothy (Peter) Winkelmann of N. Fond du Lac, WI; James (special friend, Brenda) of Champlin, MN; and Thomas (Linda) of Edmonds, WA; eleven grandchildren: Christopher, Nathan, Nicholas Hillman; Sandra (David) Sherman, and Greg Hillman; Elisabeth, Matthew, Allison, and James Hillman; and Michael and Scott Winkelmann; and three great-grandchildren: Madison, Joshua, and Elsa Sherman. Ferne is further survived by a sister, Belva (Edward) Russell, and a brother, Herbert Peterman. Preceding her in death were her parents, Wendell and Ethel Peterman, and brothers, Clifford, Harold, Wayne (Stanley), and Robert; and sister, Dorothy Hotchkiss. A memorial visitation with family will be held at the C.S. Mulder Funeral Home on Friday, April 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 28, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Make a Wish Foundation in honor of her grandson, Christopher, in Ferne's memory to the Central United Methodist Church Ruth Circle, or to Hospice of Chippewa County, Inc.

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Ferne Hillman

April 25, 1925 - April 23, 2007