Michael Ferns

Michael Ferns May 15, 1938 - May 7, 2023 Mike Ferns, age 84, passed away at St. Charles Memorial Hospital May 7, 2023, due to complications of a heart condition. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy and their four children. David (JanRene) Ferns of Palmer, Alaska; Timothy (Ronda) Ferns of Bend, Oregon; Bridget (Steve) Mans of Lakeland, Tennessee; Sean (Renee) Ferns of Klamath Falls, Oregon, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mike was born to Edith and Victor Ferns in Redmond, Oregon, he was preceded in death by two older siblings Marvin and Buddy Jackson and is survived by his sister- Arlene Riggs. Mike spent his youth in Prineville, where he played high school football. After graduation he joined the Navy and served his country for four years in active duty on the Aircraft Carrier Midway in the signal core and then another two years in the Navy Reserves. Mike met his bride-to-be, Dorothy O'Keefe, on a blind date, and when his ship was stationed in Alameda, California he would spend his weekend liberty driving back to Bend to court her. The two were married on April 15, 1959, he was 20 and she was 17, and the two were never apart again. A devoted husband and father Mike embarked on several careers during his life. He was a meat cutter, a mason, and a Sergeant with the Deschutes County Sheriff Reserves. However, the dominate part of his career was spent beneath the iconic smokestacks of the Mill in the powerhouse. Today, the Old Mill District is the center piece of a destination shopping center, but for many years the anchor tenant's building (REI outdoor store) was the energy hub that powered the cornerstone of small-town Bend's economy. Soon the kids were grown, and the Mill towns of Oregon began to consolidate and close, and Mike was forced to seek a new career, he chose to pursue a life-long passion- Food. He spent two years studying the art of Culinary at COCC's Culinary Institute, and while he never pursued a career outside of the institute, his meals and pastries were a coveted treat. A lifetime Central Oregon resident, his heart was most at peace on the desert of Fort Rock. Never one to be idle, after retirement he worked the family Ranch on the desert. He maintained a sizable herd of cattle and he and Dorothy rejuvenated the century old family ranch. Mike will find his final rest with the Committal of Ashes at the Fort Rock cemetery on Saturday, May 20th at 1 p.m. Reception to follow at the Fort Rock Grange Hall.

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Michael Ferns

May 15, 1938 - May 7, 2023