Fern Goldsberry

Funeral service for Fern Goldsberry, 104, of Dickinson will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND. Burial will follow at Richland Memorial Cemetery, Sidney, MT.

Visitation for Fern will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2025 at Stevenson Funeral Home.

Fern passed away, Thursday, March 27, 2025 at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson.

Fern Joyce Goldsberry, daughter of Phil and Emma (Keading) Christenson was born October 4, 1920 in Dickinson, ND where she lived until the age of 5. Her family then moved to a ranch on Beicegel Creek west of Grassy Butte. She was educated in country schools and was a true ranch girl at heart. Fern was her father’s right hand. She broke her own saddle horses and helped deliver mail in the Grassy Butte area with her father. In the early 40’s, Fern met Vernon Goldsberry and they were married on October 14, 1945 in Wibaux, Montana. They purchased a ranch at the mouth of Beaver Creek on the Little Missouri River. In 1947, they sold that ranch and purchased another ranch near Squaw Gap where they lived until 1968. Fern and Vernon then moved to the original Flat Top Ranch, where they ranched cattle and raised Quarter Horses. It is here where they started their Quarter Horse Ranch business which became known throughout the United States and beyond. One of Fern’s proudest accomplishments was the two yearly horse sales held at their personal ranch. It was at these sales that Fern met people who became her life-long friends. Fern was known to all by her ability to put a fast meal on the table for unexpected company. Her husband, Vernon, passed away in June of 1981. Fern then sold their ranch and retired to Dickinson. She was a member of AARP, RSVP, Sunset Senior Citizens, 50 Year in the Saddle, and the German Hungarian Lodge. In 1994, she received the R.S.V.P Appreciation Award and in 2004 she was honored to receive the ‘Roughrider Rodeo Rancher Award’ (which symbolizes someone who has kept up or portrayed the western way of life). “Fancy work’, playing cards and cooking were her favorite pastimes. Fern truly loved her cabin in the Killdeer Mountains and she enjoyed volunteering and having lunch with her friends. She could be seen traveling twice a week to Killdeer where she cared for her mother, sister and brother who lived at Hilltop Home of Comfort. She did many volunteer activities. Her loving and caring qualities will be missed by all of her family and friends. Fern had moved into Hawk’s Point and eventually to St. Luke’s Home. Thank you to all who cared for Fern.

Fern is survived by her nieces, Phyllis (Alvin) Dvorak of Bismarck, Bonnie Goldsberry of Dickinson, Gerri Grayson of Dickinson; nephew, Ron Goldsberry; Jerry Goldsberry; Jon Christenson; Phil Christenson.

She is preceded in death by her husband Vernon; parents, Phil and Emma Christenson; sisters, Jeanette Woods, Phyllis Grayson; brothers, Donald Christenson, Barney Christenson; nephews, Bill Christenson, Loren Goldsberry, Phil Grayson; sister-in-law, Marie Connolly.