Mary L. Ferguson

Mary Louise Ferguson, 89, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home in Dayton on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Visitation will be at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton on Sunday, January 28th from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Dayton, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29th. Pastor Angela Cunigan will officiate. Graveside services will follow at Dayton Cemetery.

Mary was born Mary Louise Scott on November 15, 1934 in Boone County Iowa. She was raised in Stratford, Iowa and graduated from Stratford High School in 1952. Mary then enrolled and graduated from Drake University with a degree in education. Mary met the love of her life at Drake University in 1956 and was married to Vernon Keith Ferguson on July 1, 1956. Mom and Dad celebrated 65 years together until Dad’s death in 2021. After graduation, Mary taught kindergarten in Des Moines helping put Keith through law school. In 1957 they later moved to Perry Iowa where they had four children, Bryan, Brent, Perry and Holly. Mary and Keith moved to Dayton in 1965 and later had one more son, Wade.

Earlier in her life, Mary was active in the community, a member of the community club, Women’s Club, Dayton Country Club, a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, volunteering at the Dayton Rodeo and Lions Club functions. Mary’s one true passion was her music – she was an organist for Emanuel Lutheran Church for many years and entertained many with her ease of the accordion and piano. You would often find her with Dad at her side playing the accordion at various events, entertaining the residents at Grandview Care Center, or playing in the Labor Day Parade. She was also a band member for several years at the 801 Club in Stratford alongside Dad, her brother Warren and niece, Lourene.

Mary’s hobbies early in her life were golfing, bowling, crocheting and, of course, making beautiful music. Mary and Dad enjoy many years of travelling cross country with the family. They visited most states from coast to coast and in later years she and Dad travelled all over Europe including Germany twice, Scotland, Ireland, London, France, Sweden, Denmark and Wales. Mary liked to crochet; she loved to do puzzle books and liked to draw or doodle. She kept a supply of joke books and loved to read them to us.

Mary is survived by her children, Bryan (Marilyn) Ferguson, Brent Ferguson, Holly Larrington, Wade Ferguson; and daughter-in-law Beverly Ferguson. Grandchildren, Jake Carlson of Webster City; Bunny Carlson of Texas; Kyle (Brittany) Ferguson of Boone, IA; Rachel Bauer of Dayton; Lori Newhouse of Boone, IA; Heather Newhouse; Jeremy Jinxx (Alice) Ferguson of California; Autumn (Kyle) Grell of Missouri; Kris Geilenfeld of Fort Dodge; Holly (Kris) Bunda of Ames; Travis Becker of Indianola; Angela Mackenzie of Pocahontas; Jill (Ray) Hyson of Blue Springs Mo; Justin Larrington of Fairbault, MN; Michelle Temple of Fort Dodge; Jennifer Zupan of Des Moines; 28 Great Grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren and sister-in-law Peggy Scott.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Keith Ferguson, Son Perry Ferguson, Son-in-law Harold Larrington, Grandson, Noah Ferguson, Parents Harold and Louise Scott, and Brothers Wendel Scott, Loren Scott and Warren Scott.