Velda Ferguson

Velda G. Ferguson, age 69, of McCook, NE, passed away January 11, 2018, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, NE, surrounded by her family following a 22-year battle with cancer.

Velda was born December 23, 1948, in Lincoln, NE, to parents Orville W. and Frances D. (Petersen) Lenz.  Velda was one of four siblings who grew up in Elmwood, NE, just outside of Lincoln, graduating from Elmwood High School with the Class of 1967.

On February 17, 1968, Velda married her high school sweetheart, Larry Ferguson, in Elmwood.  The couple was blessed with two daughters, Christine and Tracy.

She spent most of her life working in the banking industry in various banks throughout the state of Nebraska.  Velda was a long-standing employee of McCook National Bank where she held many different positions before retiring in 2015.

Velda and Larry were proud grandparents who enjoyed watching their grandkids in all their many activities.  Some of their highlights were watching Ryan play football as well as John and Matt play basketball on the same high school team, cheering for Haley as she ran at the State Track Meet, and watching Lindsey compete in junior high sports.

Velda was a member of Financial Women International where she served as Nebraska State President in 2004 and 2005. During that time, she enjoyed attending state and national conferences, making new friends, and furthering her banking career.  She was also a member of the Southwest Nebraska Leadership Institute Class of 2008-2009.

She was an active member of Trinity United Methodist, in Culbertson, where she participated in the choir and bell choir and contributed to numerous committees.  She was an avid reader and die-hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan who especially loved Husker Volleyball.  Velda also enjoyed taking trips with her friends, ziplining in Colorado, playing board games and the card game, Black Jack.

Velda was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Frances (Petersen) Lenz; in-laws, Arthur and Leona (Hansen) Ferguson; and her brother-in-law, Steve Lawson.

Velda is survived by her husband, Larry Ferguson of McCook; her two daughters, Christine (Todd) Rippen of Culbertson and Tracy (AJ) Schall of Kearney; five grandchildren, John, Matt and Lindsey Rippen and Ryan and Haley Schall; siblings, Marianne (Mike) Hansen of Bloomington, MN, Coleman (Deb) Lenz of Elmwood and Tom Lenz of Elmwood; sister-in-law, Kay Lawson of Savannah, TX; brother-in-law, Don Ferguson of Elmwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends.