Fern Elaine (Anspaugh) Dolezal (1936-2026)

  Fern Elaine (Anspaugh) Dolezal, 89, passed away on January 8, 2026 in Abilene. She was born on July 30, 1936, the first born of Lyle and Daisy (Essig) Anspaugh.

  Fern attended high school at Lucas, KS. She graduated from Dodge City Community College and Barton County Community College. She enjoyed a long career of nursing for more than 50 years as a Registered Nurse, a Certified Gerontological Nurse, and an instructor of nurse aide classes. After working in hospitals and at a nursing home, she and husband Lloyd Dolezal founded and operated Custom Care, Inc., a certified home health agency, for 21 years. In 2010, they sold the company. 

  Fern was a member of the Kanopolis United Methodist Church. She was President of UMW of the Kanopolis United Methodist Church and a member of Ladies’ Auxiliary VFW since 1990. She was also an Ellsworth County Medical Center Advisory Board member.

  In the past, Fern served as chairperson of the District V Nursing Council of Kansas Health Care Association and was an executive board member of KHCA Nursing Council. She was appointed to the Salina Area Advisory Council of KS Department of SRS, and a council representative of Barton County Community College for KS State Advisory Council for Vocational Education.  

  Fern is survived by her daughters, Trudy Lough and Dody Bricker and son, Mark (Debbie) Dolezal; sister Maryln Swenson; brothers, James Anspaugh and Russell (Doris) Anspaugh; grandchildren, Brian, Jason, Abby, Nikki, and Matt; and great grandchildren, Jarrett, Jadyn, Matthias, Melina, Nolan, Kenlie, Sawyer, Finn, Sophia, and Rook.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lloyd; sons, Jeffrey and Lesley Bricker and Robert Dolezal; sister, Jeniece Kinnan; and brother, Gerold Anspaugh.

  A celebration of life to be held at Parsons Funeral Home in April will be announced in the spring.

  Memorial contributions may be made to Kanopolis United Methodist Church, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

  Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com.