Lois Ann Ferguson

Lois was born July 16, 1936, on a farm in Bancroft, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold and Ella (Vaske) Schiltz. She was one of eight children that grew up on the family farm and graduated from St. John High School in 1954. Lois was active in 4H, was a cheerleader, a fitness instructor, and loved to hang out with her brothers, going dancing and to the movies.

After high school, she expanded her education in Minneapolis at a business school and was also a nanny. Lois then moved to Alexandria, VA where she worked in the Pentagon, in Washington, D. C., for two years.

Fate took her back to Bancroft where she married Delbert “Fergie” Ferguson on June 25, 1957. They raised five children. Lois also worked in the office of the family business, Fergie’s Super Service. Mom and Dad enjoyed golfing, dancing, camping, local and community events, countless sporting events, and many family gatherings. They resided there until June 1980.

In June 1980, it was a new beginning. They moved to Mesa, Arizona where Lois lived until her passing. She made many new friends, continued her passion for golf and even won the women’s club championship at the ages of 70 and 85. She loved family relative visits in the winter months, ceramics, puzzles, several TV game shows, walks around the park, and the laughter and fun from card games over the years. Her most cherished moments were her time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mom was a kind, loving, humble woman of faith. She was a fantastic listener. She exuded a quiet strength even up to her passing. She lived a full life and will be missed immensely.

Left to carry on her legacy are her children: Suzan (Douglas) Kienitz, Laurie (David) DeGroff, Judy (Kevin) Welp, Thomas (Kim) Ferguson, Steven (Trish) Ferguson.

Ten grandchildren: Alison (Tim) Pautsch, Kevin (Megan) Kienitz, Zachary (Ashley) DeGroff, Ryan (Nicole) DeGroff, Jake (Hollie Taylor) Welp, Joey (Kayla Sigua) Welp, Kelsey (C.J.) Dickerson, Krysta Mikkelson, Delaney (Micheal) Sorenson, Hunter (Julia) Ferguson.

Fifteen great-grandchildren: Oliver and Evelyn Pautsch, Cohen, Ambree, Asher and Jett DeGroff, Elliana-Marie Welp, Chandler and Hunter Dickerson, Emery, Troy and Audrey Mikkelson, Colton, Austin, and Brooklynn Sorenson.

Lois is survived by her two brothers: Richard and Tony Schiltz. Sister-in-laws: Darlene, Mary, Dianne, and Judy Schiltz. Preceding her in death are her parents: Arnold and Ella Schiltz, her husband Fergie; her siblings: Sister Eileen, Francis, Edward, Donald, David Schiltz and her Mother in-Law Mary (Ferguson) and Maurice Froehle. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Rose and JoAnn Schiltz, John and Marlene Sturm, Orville and Jan Loock, Gary and Regina Nelson; and a grandson in-law: Brennan Mikkelson and many lifelong friends.

A funeral mass for Lois will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 10:00AM at St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, 300 E. 16th Avenue, Apache Junction, AZ, 85219.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone at Hospice of the Valley, Friendship Village, Tempe, Arizona, for their kind and compassionate care of our mom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Hospice of the Valley Arizona. www.hov.org.