Sylvia Fern Deranleau

Sylvia Fern Deranleau passed away peacefully on March 23 with all of her family by her side. Fern was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. She was born on Jan. 23, 1928, to Bert and Viola Miles in Puyallup, Wash. She was the last child born from that union. At the ripe age of 6, Bert moved the whole family to Montana, where Fern learned very quickly about farm life and became her dad’s right hand after her mother’s death in 1943. Fern also played many roles while working up until her marriage to Jean “Frenchy” Deranleau. Fern and Frenchy were married August 8, 1947. From that union came two sets of twin boys and one girl, all in the span of three years with years of work ahead of them. Fern admitted later on, “She cried about that one.”  As Frenchy and Fern settled into their new roles as parents, she knew the value of hard work and sacrifice, so went her commitment to the task at hand. Her work career began as a cocktail server at The Ranch, but only in the late evenings, as her days were pretty much filled by her children growing. Next, she was hired by the Flathead Courier as front desk receptionist, which turned out to be more the longer her employment went on. She always enjoyed her time spent there. Her next adventure was the Lake County Abstract Company. New job came new mountains to climb. She fit right into the requirements of the job, but at the same time, learning new skills to acquire her last career jump. After about 10 years at the Abstract Company, she made the move over to Mission Valley Power.  Fern’s earlier “Trial by Fire” with the public came full circle in her favor when working in the public eye and all the fantastic people who surrounded her work life. She retired from her work career with no regrets of the path she took and the people she met along the way. Fern was preceded in death by an infant son, Ryan; parents, Viola and Bert Miles; mother and father-in-law, Lottie and Lester Barney Koff; brother and sisters, Ralph Miles, Clara Olson, Stella Luke and Lily; and spouses of her brother and sisters, Dottie, Art and Berlin. Last but not least, her lifeline Frenchy Deranleau, whom she spent 57 years of marriage with. Fern is survived by her 5 children, Vicky (Don) Osbourne of Polson, Dana (Diane) of Polson, Daryl of Brunswick, OH, Rocky (Carrie) of Polson, and Royal (Becky) of Polson; grandchildren, Jean, Krayger, Kelly, Jesse, Sean, Lacey, Brandon, Brittany,and Kacie; five great-grandchildren; and 1 great great-grandchild. Fern has been cremated and set beside her husband, where she can finally rest in peace. No date has been set for the inurnment. The Deranleau family would like to express their heartfelt “thanks” to everyone who has helped and cared for Fern in her time of need. Special thanks to St. Joseph Hospital and staff, along with Hospice Care. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.