Lillian Ferguson
Lillian Eliza (Heath) Bartholomew Ferguson went to her eternal home to meet her Lord on March 13, 2017. Lillian was a resident at the Strum Area Health and Rehabilitation.
Lillian was born on March 6, 1917, in rural Osseo, Trempealeau County, at home, to Eugene and Leota (Henry) Heath. On Feb. 6, 1938, she was united in marriage to Robert Ralph Bartholomew at the Methodist Church parsonage, Mondovi. They were both baptized there on Oct. 19, 1943. They were married 40 years when Robert passed away on May 8, 1978, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire.
On Oct. 10, 1981, Lillian married Lloyd D. Ferguson at the United Methodist Church in Mondovi. He passed away on Dec. 27, 2003, after 22 years of marriage.
In Lillian’s early life, she took in washing and ironing to make extra money and gave home perms to many friends and relatives. She was very kind hearted and gentle and was happiest when she was helping others. Later in life, she and Robert farmed in rural Eleva and she did homecare for Gunderson Lutheran in Whitehall, retiring at age 85, after 12 years of doing homecare.
Lillian taught the three-year-old Sunday School class at the Methodist Church in Mondovi, where she was a former member for over 60 years. She was active in the ladies aide and enjoyed working side-by-side with her friends. Lillian was currently a member of the Eleva Lutheran Church.
Oftentimes Lillian recalled the times of her life when their family lived on the prairie and when she and her father, Eugene, hauled milk in milk cans with a team of horses to a creamery in Eau Claire. Also, when she was a child, their home burned down and they lost everything.
Lillian was a faithful, loving, mother, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She always had the coffee pot on just in case she would get company. Lillian loved to bake homemade buns for her family and friends and loved to make her delicious scalloped potatoes.
Survivors include sons, Randy (Rose) of Eleva and Ronald (Reve`) Bartholomew of Arizona; daughter, Judy (Marty) Sandberg of Eleva; stepsons, Max and Dale; stepdaughters, Irene Stiles and Lisa Parish; 23 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 25 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and sisters-in-laws, Etta and Evelyn Bartholomew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Robert E. Bartholomew; daughter-in-law, Helen Bartholomew; brothers, James and Alvin Heath; sister, Juanita Swain; grandson, Steven Bartholomew; two great-grandsons, Brian and David Bartholomew.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 17, at the Eleva Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Castro and Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating.
Please visit www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com to leave your online condolences or share in a memory of Lillian.
