Miriam Loraine Ferguson

Miriam Loraine Ferguson, born September 27, 1943 in Baldwin City, Kansas, the daughter of Donald E. and Eldred L. (Fisher) Rappard. She went home to Jesus on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the age of eighty-one. She grew up on a farm in Overbrook, Kansas, attended Globe grade school in Douglas County, Kansas and graduated from Baldwin High School with the class of 1960. Following high school, she attended Emporia State University.

On December 10, 1961 Miriam married the love of her life, Larry Ferguson, at Worden United Brethren Church in Worden, Kansas. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage before Larry’s passing in 2020. They lived in Lawrence and Ottawa before purchasing their farm from his grandmother Flossie Ferguson in 1968.

Miriam worked as office secretary for Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Kansas from 1961-1964, stayed at home to raise a family until going back to work as a teller at Anchor Savings and Loan in 1970. In 1976, she worked at Lincoln School in the Title I Reading Program which gave her the same schedule as her school-age children. In 1981, she returned to Anchor Savings as a teller and customer service representative, retiring in 1992. Miriam then worked part-time for 8 years in the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

Music was a life-long joy for Miriam, being a member of her high school glee club, participating in church choir, for forty years she was a music director of the Wesley Children’s Choir and Chancel Adult Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, many vacations with extended family, and watching professional sports. She especially enjoyed her church women’s group, The Susannas, for more than fifty years where she made lifelong friends.

Miriam was devoted to her family and enjoyed helping with and attending her children’s various activities. She was a cooking and gardening leader for the Town and Country 4-H Club; children’s Sunday School teacher; helped create Drill Team dance outfits and was a summer sponsor; helped with PTA activities; Larry and Miriam attended almost every one of their children’s activities over the years. As a loving grandma, she treasured spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities and sporting events.

Miriam is survived by her three children, daughter, Tammy Engle and husband Tom; son, Doug and wife Marci; son, Scott and wife Christy; sister, Julie Brenneman; brother, Gary Rappard and wife Laura. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Kelsie, Trenton, Derrek, Paige, Bret, Jared, and Seth; one great grandson, Landon; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry; her sister Rosie (Rappard) Perdue; and her parents Don and Eldred Rappard.

Funeral service will be held 10:00am, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Ottawa, Kansas. Family will greet friends 5:30-7:30pm, Monday, May 19, 2025, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa.

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