Mary Fern (Hermes) Griggs went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 5, 2026 at 92 years of age. She was born September 10, 1933 in Bandera, Texas at her grandparents’ home on Indian Creek. She was the daughter of Oscar Marcus Hermes and Katherine Elizabeth (Kalka) Hermes.

She spent her childhood in Texas and graduated high school in 1952 from Ash Flat High. She relocated with her family to Arkansas and remained there until she moved to California, then to Kansas, and eventually settling in Bolivar, Missouri where she has lived since 1972. Throughout her life she worked in several manufacturing companies making things such as moccasins, furniture, overalls, pants, and shirts. She retired in 2008. She loved gardening, canning, and sewing. Her greatest treasure was the family and friends she loved so deeply.  She truly enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids and looked forward to the family reunion every year. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion. She loved the Lord and was a faithful servant. Sweet Fern will forever echo in our hearts.

 She was preceded in death by her grandparents Alex Frank Kalka and Cora Dicie (Aaron) Kalka, Henry J. Hermes Sr. and Emma (Winfield) Hermes, her parents, and siblings Julius Ray Hermes, Joseph Marcus Hermes, Kathryn Elizabeth (Hermes) Wahrmund, Charles Oscar Hermes, Elton Milford Hermes, Mabel Ann (Hermes) Schultz. Those remaining to cherish her memories are her son Jeff Dean Griggs (Joan) of Springfield, MO and daughters Mary Louise (Griggs) Powell of Yakima, WA and Debra Ann (Griggs) Neal (Terry) of Bolivar, MO; her siblings Evelyn Rose (Hermes) Backus of Winter Haven, FL, Patricia Joyce (Hermes) Bailey of Conway, AR, Leona Magdalen (Hermes) Edgman (Tommy) of Conway, AR and Larry Raymond Hermes (Pam) of Winter Haven, FL; grandchildren Crystal (Neal) Massey (Eric), Dusty Neal (Kasey), Terry Lee Neal (Michelle), Sarah (Griggs) Sharp (Bobby),  Cynthia Jasper (Jared), Eric Powell, and Kevin Powell. She also leaves behind 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026 and funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church:  1405 W. Fair Play St, Bolivar, MO, officiated by Father Scott Sunnenberg.