Charles E. Ferguson

Memorials given will be used in memory of Charles in the Lake View Community Organizations that he loved so much.

Charles Edward Ferguson was born on October 29, 1921, to Roy Ellsworth and Mary Elizabeth Genevieve (Hartman) Ferguson on a farm in Sac County, Iowa. He graduated from Lake View Public School. After two years attending Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Charles enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January 1943. He served with the 316th Troop Carrier Squadron for 11 months in the United States and 14 months in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, working on C-46 and C-47 type aircraft. He earned the rank of T/Sgt when he was honorably discharged in January 1946. He continued his studies at ISTC, graduating in 1947. Charles taught and coached for 3 years in Huxley and 2 years in Ankeny, before moving to Odebolt in 1952, where he served as high school principal and guidance counselor. He also coached baseball and started the wrestling program there. He received his Masters from Drake University in 1960.

On February 2, 1946, Charles was united in marriage to Olive M. Nelson in Exira, IA. This union was blessed with three children: Jo Ellen, Charles Dean and Mary Patricia. In 1968, they made their home in Lake View where Charles was superintendent of schools. He retired in 1983. He enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, playing golf, and sports. With his leadership skills, he served his community as Mayor and was a member of many organizations including: Lion’s Club, Legion Club, 50 year member of the Mason’s, Lake View Historical Society, and was a board member of SETD and the Howard Center. Charles was an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake View and served as Elder.

He was a devoted husband and father who took great pride in his children’s accomplishments and seeing them grow and have families of their own. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Olive Ferguson of Lake View; his children: Jo Ellen Hall of Missouri Valley, IA and friend Jim McDermott; Charles Ferguson of Irving, TX; and Pat Cottrill and husband David of Ames, IA; grandchildren: Erika Hall of Omaha, NE, Tiffany (Randy) Cidlik of Millard, NE, Zachary Ferguson of Denton, TX, Quinn Ferguson of Dallas, TX, Kathryn McCoy of Ames, IA and Chelsea Cottrill of Ames, IA; great-grandchildren: Georgia and Lyle Cidlik of Millard, NE and Connar and Brenna McCoy of Boone, IA. Other survivors include his brother William Ferguson and wife Pam of Pella, IA; several nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Memorials given will be used in memory of Charles in the Lake View Community Organizations that he loved so much.