Ferris, Marjorie Vaughan

Marjorie Vaughan Ferris, 84, beloved mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from complications of Aplastic Anemia.

Marjorie was born May 4, 1929, to Professor Richard English and Eloise (Samson) Vaughan in Madison, Wis. She graduated from West High in Madison and earned a degree in Home Economics from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, in 1951. She taught high school for three years in Keokuk, Iowa.

On Nov. 26, 1952, she was united in marriage to Richard E. Ferris at the Methodist Church in Indianola, Iowa. In 1955, Richard and Marjorie moved to Cedar Rapids. Marjorie worked for a short time at Collins Radio Co. She was the food service director for the Marion Independent School District for 20 years, retiring in 1988.

Marjorie was very active in the community and was a member of a variety of organizations which included Friendship Force International, P.E.O. Chapter CS, TOPS, Alpha Chi Omega, Bowman Woods Bridge Club, Order of the Eastern Star and Rainbow Girls. Marjorie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Marion since 1960, where she was active in Susanna Circle, Sunday school, Bible Study and Chancel Choir.

During retirement, Richard and Marjorie traveled extensively and particularly enjoyed their travels with her sorority pledge sisters and their spouses. Many winters were spent in Rockport, Texas, where they made many friends. Family was very important to Marjorie and she and Richard enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren here and abroad.

Marjorie is survived by her daughters, Ruth Ferris (Steve) Armstrong and Katie Ferris Feldman, both of Cedar Rapids; two granddaughters, Laura Ann Feldman of Omaha Neb. and Kimberly Ellen Feldman of Madison, Wis.; exchange daughter, Christel Kirchner of Germany; sister-in-law, Kay Vaughan of Mequon Wis.; beloved nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; brothers, James and Edwin Vaughan; and exchange daughter, Anne Noga from the Netherlands.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kutteh and staff, Mercy Medical Center Healing Center, Hospice of Mercy, the staff and residents of Cottage Grove Place, Pastor Mike Morgan and Vicki Standley.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church of Marion, Meals on Wheels or the Linn County Food Bank.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at First United Methodist Church of Marion, with visitation to be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home with private family interment at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at under the “obituaries” tab.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 18 and 21, 2013.