Fern E. Sterner, 73, of Kutztown, died Wednesday, December 21, 2011 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, where she was admitted December 17th. She was the wife of Richard W. Sterner, whom she married April 21, 1962.

Born in Bernville, Berks County, she was a daughter of the late Edwin and Clara (Kauffman) Ernst. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kutztown. She was a former member of Salem (Belleman’s) Lutheran Church, Mohrsville, where she was a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Sterner was a 1956 graduate of Bernville High School. She was a self-employed seamstress for many years. Prior to that, she was a bank teller at Leesport Bank from 1956 to 1962.

She is survived by Husband, Daughter, Karen E. (Sterner) George, companion of Bryan J. Miller, Lenhartsville; Sister, Helen Ernst, Mohrsville, and Barbara (Ernst) wife of John Rausch, Bernville. She is also survived by a Grandson, Colton R. Sterner. She was pre-deceased by a Son, Richard A. Sterner, January 30, 2008, and a Brother in infancy.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Avenue, Reading, PA 19605. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.