Susan Lillian Bakke Ferguson

Susan Ferguson is survived by her brother: Edward Bakke, Jr.; her nieces: Teresa Louys, husband Rick Louys; Kate Sullivan, spouse Pam Krieg; Sheri Lockwood, spouse Keith Lockwood; Sandy Breneman, spouse Jack Breneman; Connie Dodge, spouse Tom Dodge; Virginia Baker; and her nephews: Brett Bakke; Michael Lewelling; Bradley Bakke; Kevin Bakke, spouse Jan Bakke; Eric Bakke, spouse Angela Bakke. Susan is preceded in death by her husband, William J. Ferguson; her parents Mr. Edward Bakke and Mrs. Mabel (Erickson) Bakke; her sisters Vivian Sullivan and Betty Lewelling; her brothers Edsel Bakke, Morris Bakke, and Gene Bakke.

Susan Lillian Bakke was born on February 17th, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Edward and Mabel Bakke. January 17th, 1942, she married her husband, William J. Ferguson. In 1962, Susan became the owner of Cinderella School of Professional Development and Modeling, which she owned and operated for more than 40 years. Her school is responsible for educating thousands as to what their true potential is, and to developing a confident image. Her files were full of countless letters of thanks; but more importantly, her students are out in the world influencing others for the better. President of Salem Jr. Women’s Club, member of multiple boards of directors including the March of Dimes, Cancer Foundation, and the Humane Society, Susan also started the Miss Salem Pageant. Author of Charm and Charisma, which has been used as a textbook in the Merritt Davis Business Schools in Salem and in Portland, Susan Ferguson has won numerous awards: Toastmasters National Leadership Award, National School of the Year, President’s Award from Salem Downtown Association, and Salem’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award. Her community was important to her, as Susan was involved in countless community activities and organizations, such as the Salem Hospital Mardi Gras Ball, Paris Flea Market, Heart Fund Drive, Marion County Mother’s March, Muscular Dystrophy and Easter Seals organizations. In addition to these countless activities and achievements, Susan was an outstanding teacher and lecturer within numerous colleges, universities, high schools, junior highs, vocational schools, and clubs.

A perfect example of what she taught, Sue was beautiful both inwardly as well as outwardly. Her philosophy, summed up in her own words: “I love the life I live, and I live the life I love.”

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 20th, 2016, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Salem, Oregon, to begin at 10:00am. A reception will be held afterwards also at Saint Joseph’s. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on Susan Ferguson’s behalf to Blindskills, Inc., a Salem local non-profit organization dedicated to providing and directing newly visually impaired people to resources for the blind.

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.