Lois Jean Ferguson -- Moorhead
Lois Jean Ferguson, 92, of Moorhead, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, on a farm in Concord Township, the daughter of Lou and Lillith (Gibbs) Nelson. The family moved to West Concord in her early years, where she graduated in 1943, from West Concord Public High School.
Following graduation, Lois attended the University of Minnesota and she graduated from Burroughs Business Machines of Minneapolis. She worked for Honeywell International Inc. of Minneapolis, General Mills Corporation and later Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Lois married Robert J. Tewes on May 21, 1947. They had two children, Carol Ann and Bonnie Jean. In 1952, she returned to West Concord, and in 1953, began working at the West Concord Public Schools as the Superintendent’s Secretary, School Board Secretary and School District Business Manager. She married Clifford J. "Fergie" Ferguson on Feb. 3, 1960. He preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 1969.
Lois was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and learned to play the violin in her 50s. At 12 years old, she joined the First Baptist Church of West Concord, where she sang in the church choir, often as a soloist, and served as the Church Clerk for many years, ending in 1988.
Along with a friend, Lois started the Prayer Chain Calling Committee in 1995, and served as co-chair until she moved to Fargo, N.D., in 2002. Lois joined the W.C. Study Club in 1962, serving as their secretary-treasurer, then President from 1970 to 1972, and on the program committee several times before becoming an honorary member. Viewed as a community leader, she also served as chief judge of elections in West Concord for many years.
Lois loved to travel and took many trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and overseas. What she truly enjoyed most was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and their families.
During her entire professional career Lois was a member of MESA (later renamed MAEOP-Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals) and served on the association’s state executive board for more than 10 years before she was elected State President from 1983 to 1985. She was also elected by her peers as "Minnesota Office Professional of the Year" in 1977. Minnesota Governor Perpich signed an Executive Proclamation Order declaring "Lois Jean Ferguson Day" in Minnesota for April 27, 1977.
Lois was appointed by the Minnesota legislature to serve on the State Board of Education Advisory Council on Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) for the state of Minnesota. She was on this council from 1976 to 1984, and also served as Chairman of the Council for two years. Lois was also an active member of the NAEOP (National Association of Educational Office professionals) throughout her career and served in several capacities, including as a member of the 1985 NAEOP Ambassador Group that visited Russia, China, and Finland. She stayed active in her professional organizations through 1988.
Lois retired from West Concord Public Schools District in 1991, after 37 years employment. In 1994, she and a group of friends purchased the former West Concord Elementary School building from Triton School District for $1 and established the West Concord Historical Society (WCHS). Lois was president of the Historical Society from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, she was one of the founding members of the WCHS Foundation and served as President of the foundation until she moved to Fargo, N.D.
Lois lived at Riverview Place in Fargo until 2008, when she moved to Eventide Lutheran Home. Much appreciation to the staff at Eventide for their caring support during her last years.
She is survived by daughters, Carol Ann Ladwig of Moorhead and Bonnie Jean (Michael) Palmen of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Leora Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif.; grandchildren, Todd (Stacy) Ladwig of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Mark (Janet) Ladwig of Parrish, Fla., Erin K. (Daniel) Paluchowski of Arnold, Md., Justin A. Palmen of Marble Falls, Texas, Brandon M. (Lindsey) Palmen of San Mateo, Calif., Laura J. Palmen of Minneapolis, Rachael (Mark) Bartlow of Overland Park, Kan., Andrew (Malisa) Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif., and Marit (Jerry) Sewell of Crittenden, Ky.; and great-grandchildren, Holden and Felix Ladwig, Anna Paluchowski, Isaac Ladwig, Paige, Piper, Eryn, Sophia and Nathan Bartlow, Brianna, Cara and Ryan Ferguson, and Thomas Kornavich.
Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Loquai; husband, Clifford Ferguson; stepson, Jim Ferguson; and son-in-law, John Ladwig.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord Chapel and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith Community Church. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Faith Community Church, with the Rev. David Breederland officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.
Memorials in Lois’ memory are preferred to either the WCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 365, West Concord, MN 55985, or the Eventide Foundation, Suite A, 2405 Eighth St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560-9930.
Lois Jean Ferguson, 92, of Moorhead, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, on a farm in Concord Township, the daughter of Lou and Lillith (Gibbs) Nelson. The family moved to West Concord in her early years, where she graduated in 1943, from West Concord Public High School.
Following graduation, Lois attended the University of Minnesota and she graduated from Burroughs Business Machines of Minneapolis. She worked for Honeywell International Inc. of Minneapolis, General Mills Corporation and later Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Lois married Robert J. Tewes on May 21, 1947. They had two children, Carol Ann and Bonnie Jean. In 1952, she returned to West Concord, and in 1953, began working at the West Concord Public Schools as the Superintendent’s Secretary, School Board Secretary and School District Business Manager. She married Clifford J. "Fergie" Ferguson on Feb. 3, 1960. He preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 1969.
Lois was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and learned to play the violin in her 50s. At 12 years old, she joined the First Baptist Church of West Concord, where she sang in the church choir, often as a soloist, and served as the Church Clerk for many years, ending in 1988.
Along with a friend, Lois started the Prayer Chain Calling Committee in 1995, and served as co-chair until she moved to Fargo, N.D., in 2002. Lois joined the W.C. Study Club in 1962, serving as their secretary-treasurer, then President from 1970 to 1972, and on the program committee several times before becoming an honorary member. Viewed as a community leader, she also served as chief judge of elections in West Concord for many years.
Lois loved to travel and took many trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and overseas. What she truly enjoyed most was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and their families.
During her entire professional career Lois was a member of MESA (later renamed MAEOP-Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals) and served on the association’s state executive board for more than 10 years before she was elected State President from 1983 to 1985. She was also elected by her peers as "Minnesota Office Professional of the Year" in 1977. Minnesota Governor Perpich signed an Executive Proclamation Order declaring "Lois Jean Ferguson Day" in Minnesota for April 27, 1977.
Lois was appointed by the Minnesota legislature to serve on the State Board of Education Advisory Council on Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) for the state of Minnesota. She was on this council from 1976 to 1984, and also served as Chairman of the Council for two years. Lois was also an active member of the NAEOP (National Association of Educational Office professionals) throughout her career and served in several capacities, including as a member of the 1985 NAEOP Ambassador Group that visited Russia, China, and Finland. She stayed active in her professional organizations through 1988.
Lois retired from West Concord Public Schools District in 1991, after 37 years employment. In 1994, she and a group of friends purchased the former West Concord Elementary School building from Triton School District for $1 and established the West Concord Historical Society (WCHS). Lois was president of the Historical Society from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, she was one of the founding members of the WCHS Foundation and served as President of the foundation until she moved to Fargo, N.D.
Lois lived at Riverview Place in Fargo until 2008, when she moved to Eventide Lutheran Home. Much appreciation to the staff at Eventide for their caring support during her last years.
She is survived by daughters, Carol Ann Ladwig of Moorhead and Bonnie Jean (Michael) Palmen of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Leora Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif.; grandchildren, Todd (Stacy) Ladwig of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Mark (Janet) Ladwig of Parrish, Fla., Erin K. (Daniel) Paluchowski of Arnold, Md., Justin A. Palmen of Marble Falls, Texas, Brandon M. (Lindsey) Palmen of San Mateo, Calif., Laura J. Palmen of Minneapolis, Rachael (Mark) Bartlow of Overland Park, Kan., Andrew (Malisa) Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif., and Marit (Jerry) Sewell of Crittenden, Ky.; and great-grandchildren, Holden and Felix Ladwig, Anna Paluchowski, Isaac Ladwig, Paige, Piper, Eryn, Sophia and Nathan Bartlow, Brianna, Cara and Ryan Ferguson, and Thomas Kornavich.
Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Loquai; husband, Clifford Ferguson; stepson, Jim Ferguson; and son-in-law, John Ladwig.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord Chapel and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith Community Church. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Faith Community Church, with the Rev. David Breederland officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.
Memorials in Lois’ memory are preferred to either the WCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 365, West Concord, MN 55985, or the Eventide Foundation, Suite A, 2405 Eighth St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560-9930.
Lois Jean Ferguson -- Moorhead
Lois Jean Ferguson, 92, of Moorhead, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, on a farm in Concord Township, the daughter of Lou and Lillith (Gibbs) Nelson. The family moved to West Concord in her early years, where she graduated in 1943, from West Concord Public High School.
Following graduation, Lois attended the University of Minnesota and she graduated from Burroughs Business Machines of Minneapolis. She worked for Honeywell International Inc. of Minneapolis, General Mills Corporation and later Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Lois married Robert J. Tewes on May 21, 1947. They had two children, Carol Ann and Bonnie Jean. In 1952, she returned to West Concord, and in 1953, began working at the West Concord Public Schools as the Superintendent’s Secretary, School Board Secretary and School District Business Manager. She married Clifford J. "Fergie" Ferguson on Feb. 3, 1960. He preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 1969.
Lois was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and learned to play the violin in her 50s. At 12 years old, she joined the First Baptist Church of West Concord, where she sang in the church choir, often as a soloist, and served as the Church Clerk for many years, ending in 1988.
Along with a friend, Lois started the Prayer Chain Calling Committee in 1995, and served as co-chair until she moved to Fargo, N.D., in 2002. Lois joined the W.C. Study Club in 1962, serving as their secretary-treasurer, then President from 1970 to 1972, and on the program committee several times before becoming an honorary member. Viewed as a community leader, she also served as chief judge of elections in West Concord for many years.
Lois loved to travel and took many trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and overseas. What she truly enjoyed most was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and their families.
During her entire professional career Lois was a member of MESA (later renamed MAEOP-Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals) and served on the association’s state executive board for more than 10 years before she was elected State President from 1983 to 1985. She was also elected by her peers as "Minnesota Office Professional of the Year" in 1977. Minnesota Governor Perpich signed an Executive Proclamation Order declaring "Lois Jean Ferguson Day" in Minnesota for April 27, 1977.
Lois was appointed by the Minnesota legislature to serve on the State Board of Education Advisory Council on Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) for the state of Minnesota. She was on this council from 1976 to 1984, and also served as Chairman of the Council for two years. Lois was also an active member of the NAEOP (National Association of Educational Office professionals) throughout her career and served in several capacities, including as a member of the 1985 NAEOP Ambassador Group that visited Russia, China, and Finland. She stayed active in her professional organizations through 1988.
Lois retired from West Concord Public Schools District in 1991, after 37 years employment. In 1994, she and a group of friends purchased the former West Concord Elementary School building from Triton School District for $1 and established the West Concord Historical Society (WCHS). Lois was president of the Historical Society from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, she was one of the founding members of the WCHS Foundation and served as President of the foundation until she moved to Fargo, N.D.
Lois lived at Riverview Place in Fargo until 2008, when she moved to Eventide Lutheran Home. Much appreciation to the staff at Eventide for their caring support during her last years.
She is survived by daughters, Carol Ann Ladwig of Moorhead and Bonnie Jean (Michael) Palmen of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Leora Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif.; grandchildren, Todd (Stacy) Ladwig of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Mark (Janet) Ladwig of Parrish, Fla., Erin K. (Daniel) Paluchowski of Arnold, Md., Justin A. Palmen of Marble Falls, Texas, Brandon M. (Lindsey) Palmen of San Mateo, Calif., Laura J. Palmen of Minneapolis, Rachael (Mark) Bartlow of Overland Park, Kan., Andrew (Malisa) Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif., and Marit (Jerry) Sewell of Crittenden, Ky.; and great-grandchildren, Holden and Felix Ladwig, Anna Paluchowski, Isaac Ladwig, Paige, Piper, Eryn, Sophia and Nathan Bartlow, Brianna, Cara and Ryan Ferguson, and Thomas Kornavich.
Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Loquai; husband, Clifford Ferguson; stepson, Jim Ferguson; and son-in-law, John Ladwig.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord Chapel and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith Community Church. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Faith Community Church, with the Rev. David Breederland officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.
Memorials in Lois’ memory are preferred to either the WCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 365, West Concord, MN 55985, or the Eventide Foundation, Suite A, 2405 Eighth St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560-9930.
Lois Jean Ferguson, 92, of Moorhead, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.
She was born Nov. 21, 1925, on a farm in Concord Township, the daughter of Lou and Lillith (Gibbs) Nelson. The family moved to West Concord in her early years, where she graduated in 1943, from West Concord Public High School.
Following graduation, Lois attended the University of Minnesota and she graduated from Burroughs Business Machines of Minneapolis. She worked for Honeywell International Inc. of Minneapolis, General Mills Corporation and later Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Lois married Robert J. Tewes on May 21, 1947. They had two children, Carol Ann and Bonnie Jean. In 1952, she returned to West Concord, and in 1953, began working at the West Concord Public Schools as the Superintendent’s Secretary, School Board Secretary and School District Business Manager. She married Clifford J. "Fergie" Ferguson on Feb. 3, 1960. He preceded her in death on Feb. 22, 1969.
Lois was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and learned to play the violin in her 50s. At 12 years old, she joined the First Baptist Church of West Concord, where she sang in the church choir, often as a soloist, and served as the Church Clerk for many years, ending in 1988.
Along with a friend, Lois started the Prayer Chain Calling Committee in 1995, and served as co-chair until she moved to Fargo, N.D., in 2002. Lois joined the W.C. Study Club in 1962, serving as their secretary-treasurer, then President from 1970 to 1972, and on the program committee several times before becoming an honorary member. Viewed as a community leader, she also served as chief judge of elections in West Concord for many years.
Lois loved to travel and took many trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and overseas. What she truly enjoyed most was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and their families.
During her entire professional career Lois was a member of MESA (later renamed MAEOP-Minnesota Association of Educational Office Professionals) and served on the association’s state executive board for more than 10 years before she was elected State President from 1983 to 1985. She was also elected by her peers as "Minnesota Office Professional of the Year" in 1977. Minnesota Governor Perpich signed an Executive Proclamation Order declaring "Lois Jean Ferguson Day" in Minnesota for April 27, 1977.
Lois was appointed by the Minnesota legislature to serve on the State Board of Education Advisory Council on Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) for the state of Minnesota. She was on this council from 1976 to 1984, and also served as Chairman of the Council for two years. Lois was also an active member of the NAEOP (National Association of Educational Office professionals) throughout her career and served in several capacities, including as a member of the 1985 NAEOP Ambassador Group that visited Russia, China, and Finland. She stayed active in her professional organizations through 1988.
Lois retired from West Concord Public Schools District in 1991, after 37 years employment. In 1994, she and a group of friends purchased the former West Concord Elementary School building from Triton School District for $1 and established the West Concord Historical Society (WCHS). Lois was president of the Historical Society from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, she was one of the founding members of the WCHS Foundation and served as President of the foundation until she moved to Fargo, N.D.
Lois lived at Riverview Place in Fargo until 2008, when she moved to Eventide Lutheran Home. Much appreciation to the staff at Eventide for their caring support during her last years.
She is survived by daughters, Carol Ann Ladwig of Moorhead and Bonnie Jean (Michael) Palmen of Rochester; daughter-in-law, Leora Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif.; grandchildren, Todd (Stacy) Ladwig of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Mark (Janet) Ladwig of Parrish, Fla., Erin K. (Daniel) Paluchowski of Arnold, Md., Justin A. Palmen of Marble Falls, Texas, Brandon M. (Lindsey) Palmen of San Mateo, Calif., Laura J. Palmen of Minneapolis, Rachael (Mark) Bartlow of Overland Park, Kan., Andrew (Malisa) Ferguson of Gilroy, Calif., and Marit (Jerry) Sewell of Crittenden, Ky.; and great-grandchildren, Holden and Felix Ladwig, Anna Paluchowski, Isaac Ladwig, Paige, Piper, Eryn, Sophia and Nathan Bartlow, Brianna, Cara and Ryan Ferguson, and Thomas Kornavich.
Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Loquai; husband, Clifford Ferguson; stepson, Jim Ferguson; and son-in-law, John Ladwig.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord Chapel and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Faith Community Church. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Faith Community Church, with the Rev. David Breederland officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.
Memorials in Lois’ memory are preferred to either the WCHS Foundation, P.O. Box 365, West Concord, MN 55985, or the Eventide Foundation, Suite A, 2405 Eighth St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560-9930.
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