Ella Mae Ferguson, age 89, of Broadus, MT passed away on February 4, 2017 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.
Ella Mae Cook was born in Broadus, MT on June 8, 1927 the daughter of H.R. and Ella (Cant) Cook. Ella Mae grew up and attended school in Broadus. It was during this time that she developed her love of music and learned how to play the organ and piano. She graduated from Powder River High School in 1945. While in high school Ella Mae began working for the bank and continued to when she graduated. In 1962 Ella Mae met Walter Ferguson who happened to be in town for the summer. Walter returned in 1963 and accepted a teaching job in Broadus and before too long he and Ella Mae got married on June 20, 1963 at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Together they made their home in Broadus where Ella Mae continued to work at the bank. Eventually she became a stay at home mother and took care of their son Tom. In 1984 Walter and Ella Mae took a trip to Las Vegas and this turned into a yearly event where Ella Mae loved to go and play the casino machines.
Ella Mae enjoyed playing music, attending church and taking her yearly trips to Las Vegas, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her loving husband, Walter Ferguson; one son, Tom (Colleen) Barrett of Billings; three grandchildren, Dustin (Annie) Smith, Daniel Smith and Derek (Jenna) Smith; one great-grandchild, Piper Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Leland and Milo Cook and one sister, Marjorie Bottoms.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Broadus. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church. Interment will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Memorials can be made to the Powder River Manor. Should friends desire condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandson.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 8, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday February 9, 2017
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 8, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Thursday February 9, 2017
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT
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Carol Schneidt says
She was such an amazing talented woman! Great memories of time spent with her at choir practices and church functions. She was working at the bank when Mom and I first moved to Broadus in 1960. My thoughts and prayers with all of her friends and family!
teresa says
Our thoughts and prayers for the family and so many friends. I remember the Fergusons so well. God bless you all
Teresa Geib Bacon
Elaine Rumph Geib
Dave McCurdy says
Not the obituary I thought I would see this soon. Ella Mae was a favorite of mine, always seemed so happy and upbeat and it was always fun to see her when I stopped in to see Walter. And to Walter, as well as Tom, Linda and Bob, I am so sorry for your loss. A real loss for the community.
Grant and Mary Olson and family says
So sorry for your loss
Roberta Morgan Rickman says
Walter , Tom, Linda & Bob. So sorry for your loss. Ella Mae was such a nice lady.
Pam & Dave Nisley says
I can hear her now…..”oh kid” She made a huge positive mark on my life, and for this I am forever grateful!!! Prayers for all her sweet family, and Walter, another one that has impacted us in so many positive ways!!! May Jesus wrap His loving arms around you all during this time.
Cathleen Magann says
Walter , Tom and Colleen I’m so sorry for your loss. Ella Mae was a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed. I loved her sense of humor. She was very kind and loving. Rejoice that she has earned her wings and is in heaven now.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you..
Klayton and Mary Jane Rogge says
Walter, Tom and Colleen, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ella Mae will be missed. She was truly loved by so many. Let the good memories remain in your hearts forever and carry you through the difficult times of missing her. So sorry for your loss.
Brad and Carmen Knutson says
Walter and Family, Please accept our deepest sympathy on your great loss. I got to know Ella Mae when I worked at the Manor. We laughed about funny socks and homemade soup. She was a grand lady and one of our communities treasures. Hugs and prayers.
Skin and. Betty Collins says
Ella Mae will be missed by all who loved her. A treasure of Powder River Community. Our sympathy to Walter, Tom and family, Bob and Linda. Hugs and prayers to all of you. I will always picture her sitting at the organ in church..Loved her music.
Joyce Buchholz says
Walter, I am so sorry for you and your families loss.
We are in AZ for the winter and will not be able to attend
the celebration of a life well lived. But you all will be in our
thoughts and prayers. What a loss for you and the whole family.
FYI – I am your cousin Gladys’s daughter from Belle Fourche.
Prayers Joyce
Lon and Carolyn Heidel Johnson says
Our sympathy, Walter, Tom, and Colleen. Ella Mae was such a special person in our lives, seemingly everywhere we were – church, bank, museum, manor, neighborhood! I am so glad our lives were enriched with her presence. We will miss her kindness and love when we visit “home.” Please know we have you all in our thoughts and prayers, and Ella Mae will always be in our hearts.
Pete Stabio says
So sorry for your loss Walter. I did not know Ella Mae but I do know that she was blessed to have you as her husband for an extended period of time. Where have the years gone…fond memories of our years at MSU.
Cassa Grant says
I will always remember Ella Mae’s laugh and sense of humor. She really shone, and she was so talented, warm, and loving. I feel very lucky that I got to know such a great lady, and I am so sorry for your loss, Walter. All my best.
Francis and Diana Edwards says
Walter, Tom and family, Linda and Bob…..we are so sorry for your loss. I have a lifetime of memories that included Ella Mae…from babysitting little Tommy, to cleaning her house while I was in high school, to listening to her at the organ, and that she was a god close friend of my mother’s…as was Walter. She will be sorely missed. Go in peace, dear friend.
Derek Smith says
My grama Ella Mae is such a wonderful person. She will me missed greatly. I will always remember all the fun times my family and I would travel to Broadus over the holidays. The warmth of they’re house over Christmas made me never want to leave. Her smile alone could light up a room. All the inside jokes we would have when we would go to dinner when they came to visit us in billings. Grama you are one of a kind and heaven is so lucky to have an angle like you. I love you with all my heart and I will always cherish our times together.
Laura Lee Ullrich says
Walter,Tom and family, Linda and Bob and families,
Our community has lost the diamond in their crown. Ella Mae was such a bright spot in our town! I have such fond memories of her throughout my life. She had a great sense of humor and a little mischievious glint in her eye when she was up to something. Her gift of music to everyone who knew her was nothing short of wonderful. I will so miss our visits and laughs. I am so comforted to know that her faith carried her right straight to Jesus’ arms and that there are no doubt large organ pipes in heaven. She will be sorely missed. Prayers for all of you as you remember such a fine lady.
Colleen Barrett says
Ella mae, My mother in law and like a mom.
I was so Blessed and lucky to have you in my life
I remember the sense of humor ,your love of life and the holidays spent in Broadus
I remember the cookies you made and,the smell of your house.
I remember the time 28 years ago when she traveled to Seattle ,Wa by herself to,be with my sister and I as I had a kidney Transplant. we had some fun and her sense of humor came out.Ella mae ,you are the best and I will miss you so much . love you to Heaven and back.
Denver Fraser says
Ella Mae will be greatly missed by us all. She was a grand lady.er
Kathy Heidel says
Walter, Tom, Colleen and family – My prayers are with you – losing Ella Mae will leave a big hole in your life as well as many others’. She is someone who has always been there throughout my life, as a little girl visiting the bank and later on when I went to work there – she was so fun to work with . I always loved listening to her playing the organ. I think that’s how I will always remember her –sitting at the organ. And her love of dogs . . . we shared a lot of dog stories.
Jim Coate says
Walter: My heart hurts for you.
Judy Denson-Keller says
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Walter, Tom, and families. The community of Broadus suffered yet another significant loss when Ella Mae passed away. I will always remember how beautifully she played the organ in the Congregational Church. Heaven has gained a talented musician. May God Bless all of you during this difficult time.
Deanna Hay says
Walter, Tom & family…I was saddened by your loss of Ella Mae.. She was such a wonderful friend to mom and mom enjoyed taking care of the dogs whenever there was a trip. She was such a beautiful musician and we all enjoyed her wonderful renditions! Hymns were always made so special, everyone quoted when her preludes began!! Love & Prayers! Deanna (Damm) Hay