In Loving Memory
Claire "Fergie" Ferguson

VISITATION
Monday, February 5, 2018
5:00 - 8:00 P.M.
First United Church
Sioux Rapids, Iowa

SERVICE
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
10:30 A.M.
First United Church
Sioux Rapids, Iowa

CLERGY
David Olson

MUSIC
Rita Shau - Vocalist
Lourene Vail - Organist

CASKET BEARERS
Jason Ferguson
Justin Ferguson
Craig Ferguson
Chance Ferguson
Bob Fritz
Larry "Buck" Mills

INTERMENT
Lone Tree Cemetery
Sioux Rapids, Iowa

MILITARY GRAVESIDE RITES
Graeber Rowe American Legion - Post #394
Sioux Rapids, Iowa

Melvin Claire Ferguson, son of Melvin and Hazel (Joenks) Ferguson was born November 6, 1925, near Laurens, Iowa. He received his education in Primghar, graduating from Primghar High School in 1943. Fergie, as he became known to his family and friends, enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the South Pacific on a P.T. Boat. He was honorably discharged in 1946 when he retuned to Iowa.

Fergie moved to Sioux Rapids in 1949 where he owned and operated the Farm Implement Company, selling Allis Chalmers and New Idea farm equipment. He later included several other lines of equipment until his retirement in 2008.

On August 10, 1951 Fergie was united in marriage to Jean M. Mills at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union a son and daughter were born.

Fergie was a member of the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. He was also a member of the Enterprise Lodge, A.F. & A.M., serving three terms as Master of the Lodge. Fergie was a member of the Saddle Club, and a founding member of the Little Sioux Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf. He had his pilot's license and during one icy winter, delivered papers around Laurens by air, tossing the Sunday paper from the plane onto porches.

Fergie and Jean owned a cabin on Big Spirit Lake where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Fergie loved giving boat rides to the visitors as well as letting them fish off of the dock. Every year he looked forward to his fishing trip in Canada with his buddies as well as several trips a year to the river in South Dakota.

Fergie was also an avid hunter. He liked hunting deer, fox, coyote, and pheasants. After hunting season, fellow hunters and guests were entertained in the Ferguson "shack". He and Jean traveled in their motor home to Texas on several occasions. Fergie was also an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and loved attending his grandchildren's events at school.

Fergie passed away suddenly, on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Hazel; his wife, Jean; sisters, Phyllis "Dutch" Hoben, Mavis "Mae" Ferguson; sisters-in-law, Sally Ferguson, Joann Johnson, and Lois Mills; brothers-in-law, Lester Hoben, Raymond Lyons, Duane "Jack" Mills, and Gary Larson.

He is survived by his children, Bruce and Lisa Ferguson of Sioux Rapids, Iowa and Martha Ferguson of Spencer, Iowa; grandchildren and great grandchild, Jason and Rachel Ferguson of West Des Moines, Iowa and their son, Cayden, and Justin and Lacey Ferguson of Royal, Iowa and Michele Ferguson and Mitch Hirth of Geneva, Iowa; a brother, Marvin Ferguson of Laurens, Iowa; a sister and brother-in-law, Darlene "Swede" and Jerry Parr of Colorado; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Larry "Buck" and Mary Mills of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Joy Larson of Remsen, Iowa, Marlene Rounds of Spencer, Iowa, Linda and Gene Tempas of Austin, Texas and Jim Johnson of Sioux City, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home