Fern Laingen

Fern Laingen, age 87, of rural Lake Crystal, died Saturday, May 23, 2026 at her home.

A Memorial Service Celebrating Fern’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., June 5, 2026, at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be held one hour before service at the church. Family interment will be in Our Saviour’s Cemetery, Butternut, Minnesota. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

Fern was born February 16, 1939, to Herman and Henrietta (Zorgdrager) Venekamp in Pipestone, MN. She graduated from Ruthton High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from Morningside College with degrees in religion and education.

Fern married Roger Fineran on August 29, 1959. They were blessed with two children, Anita and Tim. Roger died on January 16, 1967.

Fern married Ronald Laingen on June 8, 1974 at the First Methodist Church, Redwood Falls. They too were blessed with two children, Brian and Cary. Ron died December 26, 2009.

Fern held many jobs in her lifetime; mother was foremost important but she was an English teacher in Odebolt Iowa in 1968, a librarian at Reede Gray Elementary School in Redwood Falls from 1969-74. She was a librarian At Lake Crystal High school in the 80’s, a nanny in the early 90’s, and was secretary for Our Saviours and Faith Lutheran Church until she retired.

Fern was a very passionate person. She was passionate about crafting that ranged from calligraphy, knitting, machine knitting, sewing, and eventually quilting. She was just as passionate about teaching, even though it wasn’t in a classroom; she was teaching as a 4-H leader, in the church, and teaching others to knit and sew and quilt.

Fern taught her children how to love and found a village to be a part of her family’s life no matter where they were. She loved reading, camping, puzzles, sewing, and bird watching.

Fern was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church until it closed. She then attended Hennepin United Methodist and River Hills United Methodist on-line.

Fern is survived by her four children, Anita (Leland) Bissinger of Austin, Tim (Michelle) Fineran of Lake Crystal, Brian Laingen (partner, Angie Danks) of Mankato; and Cary (Usman) Suriono of Apple Valley; six grandchildren, Tristan (Meadow) Will, Ian (Rina) Bissinger, Alana Joy “AJ” Bissinger, Annika, Tara, and Jade Suriono; two sisters, Bev Vos of Ruthton, MN and Verla Gruis of Sioux Falls, SD; four sisters-in-law, Sharon Laingen, Doreen Johnson, Regina Fineran, and Sandra Venekamp; and extended family.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; five brothers; one sister; and extended family.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.