Rita Ferne Walder, 81, of Auburn, passed away at Midland Care Hospice House Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Ferne was a fighter and beat cancer nearly 20 years ago, but this new illness was a battle she did not have the strength to win.

Ferne was born on April 13, 1943, in Fort Scott, Kansas to Carl and Rhoda (Claborn) Johnson. She attended Holton High School as a freshman and graduated from Mayetta High School in May of 1961. She was active in softball, basketball, volleyball and other activities like twirling, cheerleading, choir and band.

She married Clifton Walder on June 4, 1961 in Holton, Kansas and had three children, Randy, Christie and Rhonda. The family resided in Hiawatha, Kansas for twenty years while the children were school aged. Ferne was a Red Cross Gray Lady, Boy Scout Troop Leader and a devoted and loving wife and mother. She enjoyed bowling and going to National and State bowling tournaments with her sisters Carlyn and Bernie.

Ferne and Clif moved to Auburn, Kansas in November of 1988 and she enjoyed the community events. She was often receiving a medal for her efforts. Shuffleboard, camping, fishing, taking rides with Clif and sitting in the front yard waving at neighbors were favorite pastimes.

Ferne joined Clif for many years making good country music in multiple bands. They helped celebrate many weddings and anniversaries with Ferne playing the bass guitar and Clif playing the lead guitar. Ferne was part of the Elmont Opry band and Kansas Prairie Pickers.

Ferne was proud to have seen each of her seven grandchildren graduate high school and taught the five oldest grandchildren how to water ski.

Ferne worked at the Dairy Queen, Lindy's and Schroth Grocery Stores and Agri Painting in Hiawatha. She retired from Kansas Electric Cooperatives in Topeka after 20 years of service.

Ferne was proceeded in death by her parents; siblings, Bertha Zelfer, Carlyn Kaiser, Mary Lou Miller, Bernice Schuette; baby brother, William; step-grandson, Jacob Christie; and great-grandchildren, Ty Walder and Amelia Hack.

Survivors include her husband Clif, son, Randy (Jonna) Walder of Wheatland, Missouri, daughters, Christie Bauerle of Auburn and Rhonda (Dave) Christie of Effingham; Grandchildren, Jessica (Skylar) O’Dell, Raymond (Samantha) Walder, Jennifer (Jesse) Hack, Amy (Johnny) Russell, Gabrielle Schuetz, Craig and Brandan Bauerle; Great-grandchildren, Conner, Clayton and Carsyn Teat, Katie, Will and Brooks Russell, Ely and Reece Walder and Rhayna-Lynn and Legacie Hack.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM, Monday, May 6th, 2024 at the Auburn Community Center in Auburn, KS. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Ferne will lie-in-state Saturday, May 4, from 1 - 6 PM and on Sunday, May 5, from 10 AM - 6 PM at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made out to Midland Care or Auburn Community Center c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com