Ferguson, Joyce 'Teri'

Joyce “Teri” Ferguson, 77, of Cedar Rapids, died at home Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 of cancer. Funeral mass: 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Burial: Watkins Cemetery, Watkins, Iowa.

Teri is survived by her children, Jamie (Mark) Young of Cedar Rapids, Ross (Susie) Ferguson of Cedar Rapids, and Scott Ferguson of Iowa City; two brothers, Grant Wessling of Atkins, and Dick Wessling of Watkins; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Luke, Samuel, David, Grant and Chase Ferguson, Shawntel Young and Tiffany (Brian) Jergenson; and two great-grandchildren, Gwenyth and Camden Jergenson.

Teri was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jim Wessling; and sister, Shirley Leichsenring.

Teri was born Dec. 29, 1931, in rural Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of William and Ethel (Walter) Wessling. She married James W. Ferguson in 1955. Teri was an executive assistant for Congressman and then Senator John Culver for 16 years and went on to work for the U.S. Postal Service, where she retired. She was a devout member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, active in the St. Monica Circle and several other religious organizations.

She had a strong sense of civic duty and served on numerous committees, many within the Democratic Party. Teri generously contributed to her favorite charities and touched the lives of so many young children. She was passionate about gardening and nature and could make anything grow. Teri will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or Hospice of Mercy.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Teri at