Fern Knisley

Durango resident Fern Anita Knisley died at her home on April 20, 2014, Easter Sunday. She was 90.
Known to everyone as Anita, she was born to Elsie and Lois Rhoades in Ostrander, Ohio on July 21, 1923.
She often recalled memories of the 1st through 12th grade school that she attended as well as living the history of the Roaring 20's, the Great Depression and World War II.
In wartime, she worked in an assembly plant never knowing what was being built nor being able to talk about it outside. While working at a bakery restaurant in Ohio, in 1954, Anita met and married her husband of 59 years, Wayne Knisley.
In May, 1964, the family moved to Durango for her husband's job with the Division of Wildlife. She worked at Montgomery Ward and the Paleface, but her favorite job was as a homemaker.
She loved to remodel houses, upholster furniture, and was an accomplished cook, baker, and seamstress. Whether it was family or lifelong friends, all remember Anita as a devoted, deeply loving servant, always putting others first. She lived her life with joy, energy, and appreciation.
She was preceded in death by her son, Lt. Colonel Gordon E. Harper. Sisters, Darlene Mitchell and Jean Reisinger and Brother Marvin Horner.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne Knisley of Durango; daughter Tad Frank of Durango; sisters Joan Shanahan and Carole Sue Green of Ohio; four grandchildren: Glenn, Velvet, Elisa and Tawni; three great grandchildren: Morrgan, Wyatt and Warren. (Her boys) daughter in law, Alice Harper; son in law, Johnny Frank and many nieces and nephews.
A private memorial will be announced this fall. In lieu of flowers, please remember Mercy Hospice.
She is survived by her husband Wayne, and her father Elsie, her mother Lois.