Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Patricia Fernow

Patricia Joyce Fernow was born January 16, 1937, to Ralph and Dorothy Arnholtz in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in Granite Falls, Washington and Nampa, Idaho. She graduated high school in 1955 and attended the College of Idaho in Caldwell for two years. She attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, and then transferred to the University of Oregon. She met Dale Fernow when he helped her move. Dale and Patricia were married September 12, 1959, and Patricia graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Teaching in 1960.

Moving to Forth Worth, Texas, Dale attended Brite Divinity School. As approved candidates to the mission field, in June 1966, they flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina for orientation and then to the northern Provence of Chaco where they served a church in Lote Trece. They also started the church Puerto Bermejo and started and built a church in General Vedia. They spent time teaching farmers about agriculture, starting poultry micro businesses for community members, and teaching women about hygeiene and reproductive health.

While living in Barranqueras, Chaco, Patricia taught elementary school, taught English classes, and led women’s Bible studies. In 1973, they settled in Portland, Oregon with their five children. Dale pastored Midway Christian Church. Patricia earned her masters and worked as an English as a Second Language teacher for Portland Public Schools. She retired in 1996. She lost her beloved Dale in 2010.

She reconnected with Carl Fleshman, also a missionary and teacher, who had lost his beloved wife the same month. They married in 2012 and moved from Clackamas to Salem in 2022 into The Springs, where they enjoyed community living. Patricia went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, April 22, 2024, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband Carl Felshman, brother Thomas Arnholtz, her children Jonathan (Kriss) Fernow, Cathy (Kendall) Clapper, Tanya (Tim) Hauck, and Mary Fernow; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. She grieved the loss of her daughter Susanne in 2021.

A memorial service was held for her in the spring.