Lois Jean Ferguson

Lois Jean Ferguson, 92, of Moorhead, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.



She was born November 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, she attended the University of Minnesota and Lois 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 February 3, 1960. He preceded her in death on February 22, 1969.



Lois was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and learned to play the violin in her fifties. At twelve 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, ND in 2002. Lois joined the W.C. Study Club in 1962, serving as their secretary-treasurer, then President 1970-1972, 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 United States, 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 over 10 years before she was elected State President 1983-1985. 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 1976-1984 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 1994-1998. 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, ND.



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, Bonnie Jean (Michael) Palmen of Rochester; daughter in law, Leora Ferguson of Gilroy, CA; grandchildren, Todd (Stacy) Ladwig of Mt Vernon, WA, Mark (Janet) Ladwig of Parrish, FL, Erin K. (Daniel) Paluchowski of Arnold, MD, Justin A. Palmen of Marble Falls, TX, Brandon M. (Lindsey) Palmen of San Mateo, CA, Laura J. Palmen of Minneapolis, Rachael (Mark) Bartlow of Overland Park, KS, Andrew (Malisa) Ferguson of Gilroy, CA, Marit (Jerry) Sewell of Crittenden, KY; great grandchildren, Holden and Felix Ladwig, Anna Paluchowski, Isaac Ladwig, Paige, Piper, Eryn, Sophia and Nathan Bartlow, Brianna, Cara and Ryan Ferguson, Thomas Kornavich.



Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Loquai; husband, Clifford Ferguson; step son, Jim Ferguson; son in law, John Ladwig.



Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, West Concord Chapel on Friday from 4pm to 7pm and at Faith Community Church on Saturday from 9:30am to 10:30am. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10:30am at Faith Community Church with Reverend David Breederland officiating. Interment will be in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township. Memorials in Lois' memory are preferred toeither the WCHS Foundation (P.O. Box 365, West Concord, MN 55985) or the Eventide Foundation (Suite A, 2405 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560-9930).