Fern Darlene Royer, 90, passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 2026, at Locust Grove Village, LaCrosse, Kan. She was born Sept. 17, 1936, in LaCrosse, to Clarence and Lenora (Stieben) Ochs. Fern married the love of her life, Ronald Lewis Royer, July 17, 1955, in Otis, Kan. Ron passed away Nov. 14, 2015.
Fern, a 1954 graduate of Otis Rural High School, sought higher education at Parker School of Business in Denver, Colo. Following her education, Fern pursued secretarial positions in Denver and Fort Richardson Army Base in Alaska and later served as the librarian at Forsyth Library at FHSU. Fern and Ron owned and operated Ochs Incorporated from 1978-2007, moving to Great Bend from Otis in 1993.
Having faith and family central in her life, Fern had served as a den mother in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and had been a member of Otis Methodist Church and charter member of Grace Community Church, where she had been active in Bible studies, youth group and held many leadership roles. Over the years, Fern enjoyed traveling overseas, quilting, and special shopping trips with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her three sons, Eric Royer and wife Shannon of Otis, Kurt and wife Jacque Royer of Great Bend, and Everett and wife Stephanie Royer of Otis; one sister, Carolyn Ochs of Vancouver, Wash.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Douglas, John Royer and wife (Sara), Kristen Ziegler and husband Justin, Sean Royer and Renee Clark; 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in passing by her parents, Clarence and Lenora Ochs; father and mother-in-law, John and Verna Royer; niece, Susan and great niece, Debra.
Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A family graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, at Otis Methodist Cemetery, Otis, with Pastor Stan Ewy presiding. Memorials may be given to Kans for Kids or Locust Grove Activity Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Rd.
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 27, 2026
