Fern Darlene (Thom) Shult, age 96 of rural Nicollet, died peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center, a few weeks shy of her 97 th birthday.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Pastor David Carlovsky will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Nicollet Township. Service will be live-streamed on Trinity Lutheran's website.

Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church before the service.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Fern was born, on March 16, 1929, to Otto and Agnes (Bode) Thom at their home on the farm in Nicollet Township. She was baptized on March 31, 1929, and confirmed in her faith on March 29, 1942 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Fern attended Trinity Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from Nicollet High School in 1947. On May 14, 1948, she was united in marriage to Duane Alfred Shult at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. They were blessed with three children. Fern was a dedicated mother and homemaker. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking. When guests were present around three in the afternoon, she always served milk and cookies for them as a snack. Fern cherished her time conversing with others, playing card and board games with her family and friends, and attending German festivals in New Ulm. She was steadfast in her faith and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet most of her life. Duane and Fern were Trinity's cemetery sextons for over 30 years. They shared 49 years of marriage, when Duane passed away November 5, 1997. Fern was independent and very proud that she was able to stay in her own home of more than 75 years, with the help of her family, except for her final days on this earth.

Fern is survived by her daughter-in-law, Bonnie Shult of North Mankato; son, Joel Shult and his wife, Reniece of rural Nicollet; daughter, Jody Kircher and her husband, Doug of Sanborn; grandchildren, Amber Kircher (Mike Wilbur), Justin (Breanna) Shult, Dustin (Ashley) Kircher, Andrea (Matt) Samyn, and Daniel Shult; great-grandchildren, Elsa Dehn, Kinsley and Brayden Shult, Aubree and Easton Kircher, Ava, Baylor, Blaikely, Briggs, Decklyn, and Luxtyn Samyn; sister, Helen Poehler; many nieces and nephews; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Duane; son, Mark; sister and brother-in-law, Eldora and Leonhard Dallmann; brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Dolores Thom; sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Harold Fischer; brother-in-law, Edgar Poehler; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Troy and Donna Shult; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred and Mary Shult.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet, Trinity Lutheran School in Nicollet, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, or donor's choice.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center, Allina Hospice, and all who provided care and support to Fern.

The family of Fern Shult would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and kindness in this time of sorrow. Our wish is that you take the love, joy, and happiness you received from Fern and spread it to those who touch your life. God bless.