Fern Mildred (Larsen) Duckworth Sperry Bugbee was born March 3, 1923 in Hamilton, Montana to Frank M. and Margaret Larsen. Her parents divorced when she was very young and she, her mother, and brother moved to Helena where she attended Central Grade School. When Fern was in the fourth grade, she and younger brother, Chuck, began attending Helena Catholic School until she began attending Helena High School. She completed her high school education at the Seventh Day Adventist High School in Bozeman.
After high school, Fern began working as a waitress at Mrs. Downing’s Café in Helena where she met Jim Duckworth, a soldier stationed at Fort Harrison. They married before he was sent overseas during WW II. After returning from the war, Jim and Fern moved to Parkersburg, WV, where she worked at the Kramer Pharmacy. They were married until Jim’s death in 1972.
Unable to start a family, Jim and Fern adopted their first child, John; seven years later they adopted their second child, Deb. After fifteen years in West Virginia, the family moved to Montana where Fern’s family still lived. There a third child, daughter Beverly, was adopted. Fern worked as a homemaker for the family, a job she loved. Making clothes for the girls and their Barbie dolls, fixing meals, and keeping the home spotless was fulfilling for her. She also joined the local Moose Lodge.
Not until Jim began to have heart problems did Fern learn to drive a car. After his passing, Fern began to work to help pay the bills. In addition to her own family, small children gave her the greatest joy, so she began to work in a day care for preschoolers. Later she became the dining room hostess for the priests at Carroll College where she worked until she married Leon Sperry.
After Leon’s death, though she was certain that she would never remarry, she was wooed, fell in love with and married Carl Bugbee. Her years with Carl brought her great joy. Upon Carl’s passing, Fern moved to various locations including Hunters Point and Rosetta House where she was treated with warmth and kindness. The family wants to express gratitude for the care she received. She passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016 at the age of 92 from complications of a twisted bowel. The family would also like to express sincere gratitude for the excellent care she received at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena during her final struggle.
Though always a person of faith, she was baptized in West Virginia at the Emmanuel Baptist Church and then a member of First Baptist Church of Montana since coming back to Montana in the 1950’s. She was a woman who was loved by everyone and “could bring the sunshine indoors.”
She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank M. Larsen, and Margaret White; her step father William Whyte, Sr.; her brothers, Glen Larsen, Chuck Larsen, Joseph Whyte, William Whyte, Jr., her sister Margaret (Mickey) Whyte; her husbands, James (Jim) W. Duckworth, Leon Sperry, and Carl Bugbee. She is survived by her son, John and his wife Patti; her daughters Deb Killpack and husband Jim, and Beverly Armstrong and husband Chris; six grandchildren, Kevin Murray, Kaitlin Murray, Douglas Duckworth, James Duckworth, Andrew Armstrong, and Ryan Armstrong; two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A Private graveside services for the family will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison and Forestvale Cemetery. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 8th at First Baptist Church, 201 8th Avenue. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations for a memorial may be sent to First Baptist Church of Montana, Helena, Montana where she lived out her faith in Jesus Christ in so many ways for over half a century. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Fern.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday January 8, 2016
First Baptist Church
201 8th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Service
Friday January 8, 2016
First Baptist Church Followship Hall
201 8th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
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Richard Semans says
Fern was a good friend and sister in Christ. She was one of the nicest, sweetest, honest person I have had a pleasure of knowing. She will be missed. Condolences to her family and many friends. Our loss is the Lord’s gain.
Alysa Semans says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Fern’s family. Fern was a wonderful lady and very kind to everyone she met. We will truly miss her. God bless.
Laurie House says
It was a pleasure to know Fern. She loved crafts and Bingo. She always had wonderful stories to share. Thank you to the family for letting us care for her.
Laurie House
Rosetta Assisted Living
Terri Kunz says
What a sweet lady! I remember as a customer at the bank and her smile was delightful. Sorry for your loss. Prayers and memories holding you and her close.
Blessings.
Karen G. (Mesa, AZ) says
Fern and our mom, Edna, met as neighbors on a mountaintop in Clancy. They became dear friends playing dominoes and sharing dinner Wednesday evenings with their husbands as couples. What a sweet blessing it was to see their friendship and to later have Fern marry our stepdad, Carl, years after our mom had passed. Reuniting now in heaven, has surely been a joy for them all! God bless you, dear family, and may warm memories of your loved one keep you through the years.
Julie Tarpley, Chino Valley, AZ says
As you give thanksgiving for a very special person in all of our lives and remember Fern and the blessings of her life these thoughts came to my thoughts. She loved people of all ages, brought smiles and laughter to all she meet. Her compassionate nature easily made her a good friend as she cared about others, was a good listener and loved us as her own (Edna’s children and grandchildren) when she married Carl “Papa Bear” to whom we fondly called her “Mamma Bear” and “Gramma Bear.” I treasure the memory of visiting her and Papa Bear, first thing in the morning, sitting at the kitchen table, Fern reading Guideposts then Papa Bear would read the scripture. Next, they would read “Our Daily Bread” underscoring God’s praise. She shared how thankful she was for a christian man to share His word. She was a woman of God and true servant of the Lord. She was a wonderful gift to her son John and wife Patti Duckworth, daughter Debbie and husband Jim Killpack, daughter Beverly and husband Chris Armstrong; grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews all whom she cherished and prayed for along with her many friends. She will be truly missed by many.
Kennon Baird says
I am very sorry to learn of Fern’s passing. My love goes out to John, Deb and Beverly.
Sharon Russell and Angel Tetrault and Families says
Sorry to hear about Fern. She will be greatly missed. We have known her for a lot of years and has gone to several family events, that she has been invited to, and we will miss running into her while shopping. She always had a smile on her face and wanted to know what was going on with us and would talk about her children and her concern for them. Our hearts and prayers will be with the family especially John, Deb and Beverly in this trying time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Roberta Threet says
Heaven has a new member. Fern lived her life and her love for Jesus so warmly. I first met her at church at Montana City, our friendship spanned several years. What a joy to know Fern.