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James Ferguson Obituary
Jim was born Oct. 27, 1932, at Berwyn to Albert and Zelma (Staab) Ferguson. He grew up in the Happy Hollow community where he attended several different grade schools. He attended Ansley High School, graduating with the class of 1950. He excelled in each sport he participated in. A highlight was playing shortstop on the 1948 State Championship baseball team. It was during high school, that he met the love of his life, Bonnie Moody. They were married Sept. 10, 1950, and to this union were born four children, Mike, Rick, Jerry and Denise.
Jim worked for the NE Central Telephone Company from 1950 until his retirement due to health issues. During these years they lived in Arcadia, Gibbon and Ansley. He loved his job, the people he worked for and with, and the people it put him in contact with. While still working for the telephone company, God got a hold of his heart and led him to NE Christian College. He went to college in Norfolk during the week, worked for NCTC on Saturday, and preached at the Ansley Christian Church on Sunday. He tried his hand at teaching for one year but determined his calling was the church and phone company. Jim loved his God and it was his desire to win everyone he loved (which was everyone he met) to the Lord. Over the years, he filled the pulpit at Ansley, Liberty Chapel, Miller, Litchfield, Burwell, Broken Bow and Arnold. We're sure there are many in heaven today singing "Thank You, Jim, for giving to the Lord".
He loved to fish! Boats were known to 'follow' him around the lake. He loved his family, they were his pride and joy! His favorite times were with his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all. We truly cherish the memories!
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law; a sister, Helen Bergman; and a brother, Claris Ferguson.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Ferguson of Ansley; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Collette Ferguson of Ansley, Rick and Kay Ferguson of Grand Island and Jerry and Lori Ferguson of Holdrege; a daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Steve Schnackenberg of Libby, Mont.; grandchildren, Jamee (Steve) Smith, Chad (Kelly) Ferguson, Melissa (Brandon) Howland, Tiffany (Raymonn) Adams, Kyle (Lori) Ferguson, Chelsea (Matt) Atchison, Nick Ferguson, Jared Schnackenberg, James Schnackenberg and Jason Schnackenberg; and seven great-grandchildren, Michael, Alyssa, Myles, Prayse, Dax, Garittee and Brookelyn; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Hazel Hagler of Arnold and Bonnie and Leonard Peterson of Ansley; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Richard Ferguson of Cozad and Marvin and Sharon Ferguson of Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Christian Church in Ansley. Burial will be in the Ansley Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the church, family will greet friends. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Sign the guestbook at theindependent.com/obits.
Memories and Condolences
for James Ferguson
Guy Dunning
April 12, 2010
I have so many memories of Jim and family. Jim, Mike and myself at Pibel are memories I will have forever and in the hereafter. I love you Mike and family. May God's tender Spirit be with you forever.
Kelsey Van Dusen
March 15, 2010
You and your family are in our prayers of strengh.
Debby Sawyer
March 15, 2010
It is tough losing a parent...I know from where I speak. There are no amount of words that can take away the pain and the grief that I know you are feeling at this time...so I spare you the words and send you positive energy to help you through it.
Ron Nielsen
March 14, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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Arlene Moore
March 14, 2010
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. When my grandson died everyone said, "we are so sorry for your loss and you know he is a better place." While all this is true it doesn't take away the pain. I just pray Jesus will hold you all tightly in his arms and bring you peace.
Alice Frickel
March 13, 2010
Rick and Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. After reading the obituary, your father reminded me of a passage in Philippians that I remembered from confirmation.
Philippians 2:1-18
"So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, and participation in the Spirit, any affection with sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others. Have his mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himslf and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed,so now, not only as my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all the things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights of the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me."
Your father will now rejoice with him and can be honored as the man he was!
In sympathy,
Alice Frickel
Scott Ferguson
March 12, 2010
May God bless and keep all of you.
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