Jeanie K. Ferguson

Jeanie K. Ferguson, 70, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at her home in Frenchtown of natural causes.

She was born Dec. 16, 1943, in Minot, North Dakota, to Raymond L. Wahl and Irene P. Wahl. Raymond served in World War II and was missing in action in Italy in 1944. Irene met Fred C. Nelson, fell in love and got married in June 1945. In 1951, Jeanie was adopted by Fred.

As a young girl, Jeanie grew up in Minot and later moved with her family to Fontana, California, where she graduated from Fontana High School in 1961.

On Sept. 12, 1965, she married Herbert R. Ferguson, and was married for 39 years before he passed away in September 2004. Her love for Herb was deep and even though he was gone, her heart remained true to him.

Jeanie worked at the Mug Restaurant in California when she was a young lady. After moving to Montana in 1976, Jeanie enjoyed living in the beauty of western Montana, raising her family and caring for her animals. In the late 1980s, she and Herb ventured into their own business known as Ferguson Enterprises. She was the accountant and bookkeeper for the business.

When Jeanie was a young lady in California, she enjoyed riding her horse. Horses were a big part of her life in those years. In 1961, she was proudly crowned Miss Fontana. At her home in Montana, Jeanie enjoyed caring for her horses, cats and dogs. She had a knack for attracting hurt and abused animals, and she enjoyed nursing them back to health and loved them all.

Jeanie's hobbies that she enjoyed sharing with Herb were rock hunting, metal detecting, four-wheeling, trap shooting, going to car shows and drag racing events, and photography. In the late 1980s, Jeanie and her family went to the Bonneville Salt Flats. She loved taking pictures of the cars, and she became a favored photographer for land-speed racing.

Jeanie was a loving wife, and her family was very important to her. She had many friends and touched the lives of everyone she met.

Jeanie is survived by her son, Herb Ferguson, his wife Nicole and son Charlie of Columbia Falls; and daughter, Jeanene Tjaden, her husband Chad and daughters Jayde and Sydnee of Helena. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Fred C. and Irene P. Nelson; and her loving husband, Herbert R. Ferguson.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home
Read Jeanie Ferguson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.