Fern Clabaugh

Fern Cecelia Faiferlick Clabaugh beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend passed away in Story City on October 26, 2026 at the age of 89. Private family services will be held with Foster Funeral and Cremation Center.

Fern was born to Richard and Grace (McMahon) Faiferlick on September 13, 1937. She graduated from St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge in 1956. She was a devout Catholic and loved going to church and spending time with Jesus. Fern was married to Donald Clabaugh on August 17, 1963. They lived in rural Stanhope where they farmed and raised their family of five children: Michael, Nicholas, Jennifer, Anthony, and Jerome. After leaving the farm, Fern moved to Jewell before moving to Bethany Life in Story City in 2017.

She was an avid reader and writer, often sending her stories to the newspaper. Fern loved to sew and create things. She made many of their clothes, dolls/toys, and blankets.

She is survived by her sons, Michael (Patty) Clabaugh, Anthony (Robin)Clabaugh all of Stanhope; brothers, Mark Faiferlick, Lyle Faiferlick both of Fort Dodge; grandchildren, Taylor, Blayn, Thomas, Austen, Brady, Corey, Ellie, Sarah, Kade, Chase; and great-grandchildren, Jackson, Theodore, Elsie, Henry, Amelia, William, Pippa, and Hayden.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Grace Faiferlick; her siblings Dale, Owen, Lois, Avis, Neil and her children, Nicholas, Jennifer, and Jerome.