Obituary of Ferne Jesberg Liberty

Ferne Jesberg Liberty, 96, passed away Monday, June 11, in Franciscan Health Center. Ferne was born October 19, 1921 in Sioux City, Iowa to Golden and Laura Reninger. She would become the oldest of six children. She spent her childhood days growing up in Homer, Nebraska. At a very young age she lost her mother and it became necessary for her to help care for her four brothers and sister. In 1938 she graduated from Homer High School. Eventually Ferne moved to California where she lived, during WWII, for a few years. In 1945 she moved to Superior with her two small children. During that time, she worked at the old Androy Hotel until she met and married Charles Jesberg in 1953. Later she became manager of Antoine's Restaurant in Duluth. Her love for quilting was something she came by naturally from watching her grandma make quilts. She not only made beautiful quilts but also taught some classes on how to actually make quilts. Ferne and Chuck spent 27 years together until his death in 1980. In 1984 she married Bruce Liberty and moved to Duluth. She continued her quilting and was a member of the Minnesota Quilters. Her special quilt group of friends met every week at her home. Ferne and Bruce spent years traveling together across the US and Canada with their trailer and RV. Ferne would visit quilt shops and Bruce would attend tractor shows. They also traveled to England, Wales, Norway, Denmark and several other countries. They spent 24 happy years together, raising their families and traveling until his death in 2009. Ferne lived a full, rich and wonderful life and will be greatly missed by her children, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; and sister; husband, Charles Jesberg; husband, Bruce Liberty; daughter, Donna Dee Johnson; son, Larry Johnson; and grandson, Timothy Scott O'Brien. Ferne is survived by her son, Michael (Carole) Jesberg; daughter, Terri Anne Christean; step-sons, Brian (Sue) Liberty and Bruce, Jr. (Debbie) Liberty; step-daughter, Vickie (Greg) Pitoscia; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson; many nieces and nephews; the ladies of the quilt group; and numerous friends. Visitation: 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. service, Saturday, June 30, 2018 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave, Duluth.