Minnie Fern peacefully passed away in her sleep on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011, in the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. She was born in Swift Current on May 22, 1927, to May and Lloyd Payne. She was the fourth of nine children. She had four sisters: Isabell, Bernice, Evelyn, and Vivian, and four brothers: Lloyd, Dalton, Carson, and Rodney. During her youth she lived with her family on a farm near Waldeck. Minnie attended Diamond Hill Country School for grades one through eight, and went to W.A. Beatty Collegiate in Swift Current for grades nine to twelve. Her first job was in the Ladies Wear Dept. in Coopers, in Swift Current. While there, she became known as Fern. Her interest and talents moved her into the store's office where she worked on advertising. Again, her creativity was put to work at Ogilvie Photo Studio where she developed photos and then added colour to the black and white pictures with a tiny paint brush. Min’s personality and business sense helped her become a top-notch make-up consultant for Fashion 220 and, later with Lady Finelle. The work place also brought love into Min's life. A suitor frequently stopped into Coopers for a visit, and thus began a budding romance with Andrew Ross Thompson. Min married the love of her life at First United Church in Swift Current on June 13, 1949. These soul mates would have been married 62 years on June 13, 2011. Minnie Fern became a mother for the first time in March 1952 when she gave birth to Heather Anne. Seven years later she got her boy, when Garth Ross was born. She was content and felt her family was complete until Bob Anderson, married Heather, and Karen Rutten married Garth. After ten years of waiting, Min was blessed with her first grandchild, Kendra Leigh Anderson. A few years later Breanna Mae and Graham Ross Thompson were welcomed. She absolutely loved being a grandmother and would often be heard saying, "If I would have known grandchildren were so wonderful, I would have bypassed having my own kids!" Andy’s transfer, with the CPR in 1971, took them to Moose Jaw. There, they joined Minto United Church and the Moose Jaw Camping Club. This allowed them to meet new people and to develop lasting friendships. Min became an ambassador for Moose Jaw, and sang its praises to anyone who would listen. Similarly, she delivered accolades regarding Mulberry Estates. Mulberry is where she and Andy have resided for the past four and one-half years. True to Min’s style, she enthusiastically joined activities and became the editor of The Mulberry Monitor. Min is survived by one sister, Vivian St Clair of Swift Current. She is also survived by her four brothers: Lloyd, Rodney and his partner Ethel (all of Swift Current), Carson (of Moose Jaw) and his wife Audrey, Dalton (of Kamloops) and his wife Nancy. Minnie is leaving behind her husband (Andy), two children (Heather & Garth), a son-in-law (Bob), a daughter-in-law (Karen), three grandchildren (Kendra, Breanna & Graham) and numerous nieces and nephews. Min's sister, Evelyn Freeman of Swift Current, lost her battle with cancer one day after Min's death. A Memorial Service, celebrating Min’s life, will be held at Parkview Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.