Irene Louise Ferguson

Irene Louise Ferguson was born January 11, 1919, in Merrill, Oregon and died quietly on February 24, 2015 in La Grande, Oregon. Her sons, Dennis, Doug and Doug’s wife Charlene were present with her large family kept close by phone and e-mail.

Irene was born to the parents of Phobe and William Anderson. She was the last surviving sibling, with two older brothers, Richard and Russell, and a younger sister, Jean. The family resided on a farm which had been homesteaded by Irene’s father William (Bill), in the community of Tulelake, California, just across the state line from Merrill.

Irene spent here early life here going through grade school and high school in Tulelake. She was a typical farm girl growing up in an early 20th century agricultural community. Irene is the best cook ever, apparently learning from her mother. It is probably here that she developed the love of horses and cattle. Her parents purchased a piano for her early in life. She didn’t just learn to play, she was a student of music for the rest of her life, bringing untold pleasure to everyone who was fortunate enough to listen, to or dance to her music. Around 1937, a large itinerant family by the name of “Ferguson” moved into the area. One Max Ferguson, who was trying to complete a hit a miss education, came to Tulelake School to try to complete high school. Max was 21 years old at the time. A love affair began there and continued for the rest of their lives. Max and Irene were married in Reno, Nevada, in 1937. That union lasted until Max’s death in 2006, having been married 70 years.

After their marriage, Max worked on the reclamation project which was developing additional farm ground in the area. Along with the construction, Max farmed on leased land near Tulelake. During the War years, Max was differed from serving because he was providing more good farming for the cause than by fighting for it. First Doug came along, then Denny during the war years.

Shortly after the end of World War II, the large Ferguson family, consisting of several grown couples and their children, began migrating north into Eastern Oregon. This exodus resulted in Max, Irene and two small boys owning 1200 acres at the mouth of China Creek, on the North Fork of the Burnt River. Living was completely primitive. They lived and thrived in an old Army surplus tent. Max fell trees, and begin carving a small ranch out of an isolated 1,200 acres known as the King Ranch. The team of Max and Irene landed the school bus contract for hauling the kids who lived on the “Big Flat” road to school in the small settlement of Hereford. During the school day Irene worked in the tiny telephone exchange, the “Juniper Telephone Company”. Irene was an operator for the old hand crank phone system. She also worked in the school cafeteria and gave piano lessons to quite a few kids who are old timers today. Eventually a log cabin was built and that became the home at the King Ranch. Living was a lot better in a house, and none of the family missed the convenience of plumbing or electricity. They could dip all the water they needed out of China Creek, and a cozy outhouse which faced east so the morning sun could warm body and soul on a summer morning. For light they had plenty of gas lanterns.

In 1955 Max, Irene and the boys moved to a small ranch at the mouth of Fields Creek, on the John Day River in Grant County. Irene worked at the local medical facility in John Day, and was a waitress at Marion’s Café in down town John Day. Max worked for the Highway Division out of John Day. Eventually Irene went to work in the office of the Highway Division, and as a dispatcher for the Oregon State Police.

Around 1960 after getting Doug graduated from Dayville High School, Max and Irene moved to La Grande, with advancements and more opportunity for each of them in their work for the State Highway Division. Mom left the highway division while in La Grande and went to work at the college in La Grande. This was also a State position, where she was executive secretary to the Dean of Administration and later became director of personnel. In the early 1960’s they purchased a 40 acre piece of raw land at the base of Mt. Emily, near Summerville. They carved out a showplace here, with a beautiful “A” frame house, productive hay land, and corals to keep the ever present cattle and horses. This was the family place where Max and Irene’s grown children brought their kids. It was home away from home for family and extended family for many years. Both Max and Irene retired while living on this place. It was a place of much love for family and friends. Denny and Doug’s kids grew up near this place and it became a lasting influence on their lives.

In the early 1970’s Max and Irene got the wanderlust again and ended up at Sekiu, Washington, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The fishing was good and there was abundant bounty from the sea. They had a good comfortable boat, and the harvest was good.

After a few years it was apparent that they were just too far away from what was becoming a large and growing family being produced by their sons. They moved to Sumpter, where they begin to build a beautiful home and place out of nothing. That pioneer spirit is still present. No more than getting it just right in Sumpter, a move was made back over to the John Day Valley out on the Moon Creek Road.

By this time Max and Irene are getting along some, and actually slowing down a little, however there was a large garden, plenty of horses, and kids and grandkids. Always plenty of good food, and love.

Around 2005, Max and Irene moved back to La Grande and took up residence in the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence.

Max passed away in May of 2006, and Irene resided there until shortly before her death. She had just been waiting to go find Max. There large family believes they are finally together.

Irene is survived by her sons Dennis Ferguson daughter-in-law Kath Ferguson, Dennis’ wife of nearly 50 years, of Summerville, Douglas Ferguson of Mt. Vernon and his wife Charlene, grandchildren including (little ) Doug Ferguson of Arlington, D. Mitchell Ferguson of Mt. Vernon, Lindy Temple of California, Amber Ferguson of Prineville, and Mollee Wood of Powell Butte. Irene has 11 great grandkids, and 11 great-great grandkids.

Irene’s favorite and best things were music, her and Max entertained untold number of people, playing there music from the late 1940’s to the 1980’s and played at home till after the millennium. She loved the outdoors, horses, wild country, the pioneer spirit, traveling over new ground on a good horse, and cooking good food.

The love of Irene’s life was Max Ferguson, her sons, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

(Paid obituary by the Ferguson family.)