MOUND VALLEY — Loreen B. “Bessie” Ferguson, 96, of rural Mound Valley was called home on the morning of Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Bessie was born on May 3, 1929, to Jacob and Anita (Lapham) Berndt in Coolidge. She grew up and attended school in Westcliffe and Salida, Colorado, until age 16, when she moved with her family to Independence.
On Dec. 14, 1947, Bessie married Freddy L. Ferguson. She and her husband farmed south of Mound Valley for many years. For over 24 years, Bessie drove a school bus for USD 506, lovingly getting many students to and from Mound Valley Grade School. She was a longtime member of the Mound Valley Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school for several years. She was also a 4-H leader for many years.
Collecting dolls and antiques and gardening were some of Bessie’s favorite hobbies. In earlier years, she enjoyed square dancing. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially taking her grandchildren on trips to Colorado.
Survivors include a son, Gerald Ferguson and his wife, Leslie, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five grandchildren; two stepgrandsons; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Darlene Ferguson of Mound Valley; a sonin- law, Mike Burnett of Benton; and a sister, Lois McClure of Grand Junction, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Freddy L. Ferguson; a son, Eugene Ferguson; a daughter, Barbara Burnett; a brother, Richard Berndt; and sisters, Doris Berndt and Bertha Brooks.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Mound Valley Christian Church. Burial will follow at Mound Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the church.
The family suggests memorials to the Mound Valley Christian Church. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
