LaVerne Ferguson
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December 8, 2016
LaVerne Ida “Bernie” Ferguson
Born August 1, 1927
Died November 26, 2016 Age 89
Bernie Ferguson was the only child of Lawrence L. Long and Helen C. Long, both from Ohio. She was born in Okolona, Ohio and was raised in Paullina, Iowa and later in Napoleon, Ohio. The family had a brief stay in Santa Monica, CA and Eugene, Oregon after her father sold his grain elevator business in the 1930’s. As a child and teenager, Bernie loved to roller skate, jitterbug dance and read. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Napoleon, where she was valedictorian. She graduated from Napoleon High School.
At the University of Colorado in Boulder, Bernie enrolled in the Business School. She was one of two women to earn a Bachelors of Arts in Business in 1948. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She met her future husband, Boyd M. “Ferg” Ferguson at a Halloween party. She travelled with friends in a convertible to Mexico City and enjoyed working in San Francisco.
Bernie and Ferg led a full life in Boulder including skiing, golf and camping. They designed a Midcentury modern home and raised two children, Larry and Diane “Dede” Ferguson. They were involved in church, country club and scouting activities. Bernie loved to visit National Parks.
Travel was always at the center of Bernie’s family and business life. She spent much of her career as a Certified Travel Counselor specializing in tours to Mexico. She visited all seven continents and made friends around the world. Bernie’s favorite saying was “The only trip I ever regretted was the one I didn’t take.”
After retirement, Bernie and Ferg moved to Cathlamet, Washington and lived in a home they remodeled on the majestic Columbia River. More recently they had relocated to Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Bernie Ferguson was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Boyd McDougal Ferguson. She is survived by her son, Lawrence R. Ferguson of Sebastopol, CA and daughter Diane “Dede” Ferguson Shorett (husband Peter) of Bainbridge Island, Washington. Grandchildren are Jennifer B. Ferguson, Carl K. Shorett (wife Sarah) and Brooke A. Shorett.
Bernie will be interred in Green Mountain Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado. Memorial donations may be made to: National Parks Conservation Assn., 777 6th St. NW Suite 700, Washington, DC., 20001-3723. 1-800-628-7275. npca..org/give/more-ways-to-give.
Please sign the online guest book for the family at: http://www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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