Doris Marie Ferguson age 88, of Ansley, Nebraska passed away on Friday, April 17, 2020 at the Brookestone View in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Doris, the eldest daughter of Dwight and Mable (Christensen) Cramer, was born on January 29, 1932 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Doris attended school in Merna and Grand Island, Nebraska. On October 3, 1943, she was baptized in the Loup River near Gates, Nebraska.
Doris proudly worked for Carothers Hospital as a nurse’s aide for six years where she once cared for her future husband, Edwin “Don” Ferguson. They were united in marriage on June 26, 1952 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. While Don served in the United States Air Force, Doris made their home at Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, Florida. While in Florida, their son Keith was born in November of 1954. The family moved to the Sioux City Air Force Base in Iowa where their daughter Karen was born in April of 1956 and daughter Karla was born in September of 1957. In 1961, Don and Doris moved to Ansley, Nebraska. In March of 1964, they moved to their farm north of Ansley. Later that month, their daughter Kelli was born.
Doris enjoyed being a mother and a homemaker. She could be found happily cooking and baking amazing food in her kitchen while listening to the polka station on the radio. She enjoyed the company of friends and family who never left her home without being well satisfied with the meals she prepared.
Doris received an accordion from her father when she was thirteen. Never knowing how to read music, Doris learned to play polkas, waltzes, hymns just by listening to the song. Even in the early stages of dementia, she would entertain Brookestone View residents and staff with “The Waltz Across Texas.”
Doris loved to camp across Nebraska as a member of camping clubs such as Loup Valley Sams, Jayco Camping Club, and Custer Campers where she loved spending time with her camping club friends. In 1995, Don and Doris began their yearly trip to Texas. Doris looked forward to their time as “Winter Texans” enjoying the activities and company of their Kenwood RV Resort friends.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Edwin “Don,” her son Keith (Linda) Ferguson of Columbus, Nebraska, daughters Karen Norden of Harlingen, Texas, Karla Ducker of Ansley, Nebraska, and Kelli Flanagan of Lincoln, Nebraska. Sister Racine Woodward, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Doris is preceded in death by her mother, father, infant brother Gary Dean Cramer, sister Cherilyn Carmel, and sister Helen Garrett.
A Memorial Service will take place at a later date. An online guest book can be signed at www.govierbrothers.com with words of encouragement or remembrance. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of the arrangements.
