Esther Alice Kjar Ferguson

Esther Alice Kjar Ferguson, 99, of Bozeman, passed away March 21, 2012. She was born March 6, 1913 in Lexington, Nebraska, one of 6 children to Edward and Minnie (Pierce) Mitchell. She was raised and educated in Lexington. As a young woman she taught herself how to play the piano. Following her graduation from high school she married William Kjar on September 22, 1931 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Lexington. There they made their home and worked on William’s father’s fox farm where Rolland, Lawrence and Alice were born. They moved to Spokane, Washington in 1936. Their daughter Mary Ellen was born there. The family moved to the Gallatin Canyon in 1946. Their youngest child, Carol Ann, was born during a horrific snow storm with several feet of snow and subzero temperatures. The cabin up the canyon did not have running water and they often caught fish for dinner. Esther loved to play games. Her family remembers fondly Friday nights when they would play Chinese checkers, canasta or checkers and enjoy homemade fudge and popcorn. The family moved into Bozeman in 1951. Esther had a great work ethic and worked at Staudinger Shoes, Blackburn Cafeteria, The Baxter, The Bozeman Hotel, and 4-B’s Restaurant until she retired in 1974. William passed away in 1976. She met Stanley Ferguson at a dance at the Senior Citizen Center; they were married August 8, 1980 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Esther and Stanley had a grand time together, they volunteered together at the Senior Center, Museum of the Rockies and the Pioneer Museum. They loved to dance; they danced together at the formal dance club and square dancing. They loved traveling and camping and were members of the Good Sam’s Club. Esther was an honorary life member of the Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club. She was a great cook and her family will miss her cinnamon rolls, wine (yes she even made wine), apple jelly, apple pie and lemon meringue pie. Esther loved her Lord, her faith, she was a devout member of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish, and she was a Forester. The first thing she did each day was give thanks to God. “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord.” “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” She was preceded in death by her husbands, three grandchildren Joe, Jackie and Angela; sons-in-law Don Skerritt, Fred Pitt and Edward Miller. Survivors include her children Rolland Kjar of St. Charles, MO; Lawrence (Carole) Kjar of Davis, CA; Alice Miller and Mary Ellen Pitt both of Bozeman; and Carol Ann (Don) Halseth of Lansing, NY; grandchildren Larry Jr., Linda, Lisa, William and Jeanette; 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, a Rosary led by the Foresters at 5:30 pm and Vigil Service at 6:00 pm all at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Bozeman Catholic Community Center, followed by interment at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to the Holy Rosary Catholic Building Fund, 220 W. Main Street Bozeman, MT 59715 and the Pioneer Museum, 317 W. Main Street, Bozeman, MT 59715. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.