White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

INDEPENDENCE– Richard C. “Rick” Fernald, 62, of Independence, IA, died Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at his home, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Monday, March 4, 2024, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Jesup, IA, with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 3, 2024, at White Funeral Home, Jesup, where there will be a parish rosary at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services at the church on Monday.

Richard Carl Fernald was born December 19, 1961, the son of Robert and Barb (Kerkove) Fernald. Rick graduated from Jesup High School with the class of 1981. He worked at Big Timber Hardwoods in rural Urbana, IA, for 18 years. He liked to learn about the different types of woods and was proud of his work. He also worked at Best Cob and Goodwill Industries, both in Independence. Rick liked to watch sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Iowa Hawkeyes; and he knew all the stats of all the important players. He loved going to the Darrell E. Davis Day Center in Independence and participating in all the activities they had to offer. He always looked forward to being the bingo caller. Rick had a fun-loving personality and liked to sing and dance. He enjoyed going on vacation and taking trips with his family. He never forgot the time he was able to go to Pittsburgh and see his beloved Steelers in person. Rick was a member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Jesup.

Rick is survived by his loving mother, Barb Fernald of Jesup, IA; one sister Laurie (David) Houser of Mason City, IA; one brother, Russell (Ning) Fernald of Galveston, IN; his nephews and nieces, Adam Houser, Ashley Houser, Bobby (Nichole) Cassada, Ashley (Ray) Flynn; five great nieces; five great nephews; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Orville Dwight Fernald & Ione Lillian (Rathbun) Fernald, Paul & Irene Kerkove; and his father, Robert “Bob” Fernald.

Memorials may be directed to St. Athanasius Church and the Darrell E. Davis Day Center.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home – Jesup, IA, is handling the arrangements.