Fern Gladys Kostal, 83, Odell, died Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Good Samaritan in Beatrice. She was born on September 18, 1941, in Herkimer, KS to Alfred and Edna (Pralle) Dierking. She was baptized and confirmed into membership at Zion Lutheran Church in Herkimer, KS. In 1959, she graduated from Marysville High School in Marysville, KS. Upon graduation she worked as a bookkeeper at Exchange Bank of Schmidt and Koester in Marysville, KS. She met the love of her life Steven D. Kostal at a dance early in the fall of 1962. The pair were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Herkimer, Kansas on May 26, 1963. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Steven, DeAnn, Gregory, and Ryan.  

From day one Fern and Steven farmed in the Odell area and were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary last May.  She was tireless, spending her days outside working and her nights inside working.  She tried her best to keep a clean house but time was not always on her side.  However, you never mentioned it to her because if you complained something was dirty, she made you clean it.  She loved cooking.  Meat, potatoes, and vegetables were hot and delicious, but her specialty was pork chops and rice.  She loved playing cards and games but always said "if you play a game someone has to lose, so if you lose no whining or crying", even though that didn't always stop us from whining and crying, much to her dismay.  She also enjoyed her soap operas in her younger years and her sitcoms later on.  She cheered on the Nebraska basketball and volleyball teams as well as the Kansas and Creighton basketball teams. But as is with most mothers, her biggest passion was her family.  She loved reading to her children when they were little, pressing them to get good grades and always try their best. She was present to support them at every event and momentous occasion, sometimes traveling long distances to do so.  In her later years she was challenged with health issues and largely confined to home, but complaints were rarely forthcoming no matter the pain.  She was a strong, loving soul and will be sorely missed.

Fern is survived by her husband Steven D. Kostal; son Steven R. (Sandy) Kostal, Odell, NE; daughter DeAnn (Jay) Zimmerman, Friend, NE; son Gregory Kostal, New York, NY; and son Ryan (Elizabeth) Kostal, Summerfield, KS. Grandchildren Heather (Brent) Rogge; Hillary (Curtis) Campbell; Hannah Kostal; Steven E. (Pamela) Kostal; Ashley Becher; Mark “Andy” Evans; Audrey, Abram and Owen Kostal; Great-grandchildren Hadlee and Hoyt Rogge; Kendyll and Cade Campbell; Jaden Oberembt; Taylee Schnacker; Raleigh O’Neil; Steven C. and Banner Kostal; brother Glen (Margie) Dierking; sister Darlene Rippe; sisters-in-law Marilyn Yeck and Lorene Pruitt; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; father and mother-in-law, Stephen E. and Marguerite Kostal; brothers Arlo, Eldon “Pete”, and Irvin Dierking; sister Alma Schwarz; sisters-in-law Rosalie Dierking and Joanne Dierking; brothers-in-law Earl Schwarz and Norman Rippe; nephews Steven Dierking, Alan Schwarz, and Mark Yeck. 

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 12 at 10:30 am at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Odell, NE. Family will greet friends at the church on Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm. Interment will be in the Odell Czech Cemtery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home of Fairbury is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com