(1941-2026)

Ella “Fern” Schultz, 85, passed away June 9, 2026, at Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Ella Fern Nienke on Feb. 19, 1941, in Ellsworth to William “Richard” Nienke and Ella Ida Haase Nienke. Fern was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth, where she married Wills C. Schultz on June 14, 1959. Fern was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She was an avid adventurer. She and Willis took many bus trips around the country in order to attend baseball games and other events. You could find Fern anywhere from Kearney, Neb., viewing the sandhill cranes, all the way to Churchill, Alaska, to see the polar bears. Fern never missed a good garage sale. She enjoyed playing cards and dominos with Willis and their close friends. She had yearly trips out in the country to gather sandhill plums to make her special jelly, and always looked forward to getting a big box or two of peaches from Colorado. Many days she stopped by school early to get Roger and Rob during bullfrog season. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.

Most of all, Fern enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fern is survived by her sons Roger Schultz, Ellsworth, and Rob Schultz (Keith Haskamp), Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren Melissa Vongphakdy (Long) and Andy Schultz (Lynsey); step-grandson Josh Rathbun; great-grandchildren Jazlynn and Owen Schultz and Vincent and Donovan Vongphakdy; and step-great-grandson Liam Sharp. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Willis; sister Alice Schwerdtfeger; brothers Albert Nienke and William Nienke; daughter-in-law Peggy Schultz; step-granddaughter Amber Sharp; and infant great-grandson Chaunchai Vongphakdy.

Graveside services are at 10 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Luncheon will be served following services.

Memorial contributions can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Ellsworth County Medical Center, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O.

Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.