Fama Mae Forney

Fama M. Forney, 97, died Monday February 8, 2021, at her residence in Merrill, IA.

A funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, February 12, 2021, at Morningside Assembly of God with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family is being assisted with arrangements by Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel.

Fama Mae Gunsolley, the daughter of Samuel and Viola Mae (Smothers) Gunsolley was born November 12, 1923, in Little Sioux, IA. She attended high school in Moville, IA. Fama began babysitting outside of the home at a young age and held various waitressing jobs after high school.

In 1944, Fama was united in marriage with Peter Kern in Moville. She worked as a clerk in the Moville Pharmacy for 27 years. Peter died November 29, 1974. In 1975, Fama was united in marriage with Bernard Forney in Holly Springs, IA. Bernard died in 1996.

Fama was a member of Morningside Assembly of God in Sioux City. Fama’s foundation in life was rooted in her unwavering faith in God, and she was ever mindful to seize opportunities in ordinary life happenings to proclaim witness for her convictions and express the eternal salvation of everlasting life found through knowing her Savior, Jesus Christ. Fama was a disciplined disciple of the Lord, living her life reflected in the image of Christ, scheduling daily worship time for prayer and Scripture study, and always striving through the mercy of God to be a better version of herself. Fama benefited others with her many blessings sharing her kind soul, gentle spirit, generous hands, and her servant’s heart. She enjoyed reading the Bible, cooking, baking, and crocheting, but her greatest joy was found in sharing her fun-loving spirit for life with people and children. Whether with her own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, or with children outside of the family, she was a natural nurturer and loved taking care of people and giving of herself from the heart, never expecting anything in return, always sharing her love unconditionally and supplying the very best warm hugs.

Fama is survived by her children, Al Kern of Sioux City, Pat (Leon) Yoerger of Merrill; seven grandchildren, Tracy (Scot) Meadows, Troy (Cara) Kern, Rodney (Beth) Yoerger, Lisa Torres (fiancé Dennis Pedersen), Julie (Brian) Newcomb, Jami Gollhofer (Shannon Lesko), Kari (Scot) Orban; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Wanda Gunsolley of Springfield, MO; a niece, Connie (David) Collins; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Kern; brothers, Mike, Leon, Dale, and Billey Gunsolley; and a sister, Dorothy Dicus.

The family has requested that memorials be directed to Morningside Assembly of God.