Ferry, Richard (1937 - 2017)

FERRY, RICHARDSON, ZEMANEK, STEENHUSEN, PETERSEN, OBRECHT

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/31/2017 at 19:46:24

Name of deceased: Richard Ferry

Aged: 80 yrs, 5 mo, 30 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: Feb. 25, 1937; Irwin, IA

Died: Aug. 24, 2017; Harlan, IA

Funeral services: Monday, Aug. 28, 2017; First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA.

Survived by: Wife of 56 years, Julienne of Harlan, IA; daughter, Richelle (spouse, Todd) Richardson of Detroit Lakes, MN; son, Brandt Ferry (spouse, Stacia) of Kirkman, IA; grandchildren, Matthew Richardson (spouse, Em) of Moorhead, MN, Grant Richardson (spouse, Meghan) of Fargo, ND, Rachel Ferry of Saint James, MN, Gabe Ferry and Kristen Ferry of Kirkman, IA; sisters, Betty Zemanek of Cincinnati, OH, and Patricia (spouse, Peter) Steenhusen of Council Bluffs, IA; brother, Don Ferry (spouse, Jean) of Irwin, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Ray and Ruby (nee Petersen) Ferry; sister, Brenda Ferry

Education: Attended country school, Polk #2, located next to his home, through Grade 8; in high school, Richard was the first president of the Irwin (IA) FFA chapter, and was a member of the 4-H club. He was active in music and was a member of a boy’s quartet that entertained many times in the community. He graduated from Irwin (IA) High School with the Class of 1955.

Religious affiliation: baptized in and joined the Methodist church in Harlan, IA prior to marriage; Richard served on many church committees and sang in the church choir, was a Sunday School teacher and MYF sponsor

Military service: U. S. Army Reserve for 6 years, attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he earned a sharp shooting medal. He was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of Helmer Reyelt American Legion Post #150.

Marriage: Julienne Obrecht; June 25, 1961; location not provided

Employment: After his high school graduation, Richard was a Forest Smoke Ranger in Kallispel, MT. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Council Bluffs, IA, and then worked as a hired hand before renting land to farm. After he was married, they rented other farms before buying their own farm in 1966. Richard raised hogs and fed cattle, along with the grain operation; he was also a Cargill Seed dealer for many years.

Hobbies/Interests: Richard enjoyed playing ball, riding motorcycles, playing basketball, snowmobiling with his family and trapping and hunting pheasant and coyotes. After retiring from farming, he restored tractors. He relished time with his grandchildren spent fishing, swimming and ice skating at the pond, assisting with 4-H projects, having picnics on the porch and following their school activities.

Richard was a lifelong member of Farm Bureau, and had served as Membership chairman. In 1962, Richard was initiated into Sardius Lodge #444 in Irwin, Iowa. After completing degrees, he became a Master Mason and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge. In 1963 1963, he was initiated into The Order of the Eastern Star, serving offices including Worthy Patron. He was a lifetime member of the Shelby County Historical Society. He served as a director on the board of Nishnabotna Valley REC, and retired in 2007 after serving 30 years. He also served 6 years on the Iowa Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com