Dorothy Ferguson

Dorothy Leone was born March 10, 1926 in Platteville, Wisconsin, the daughter of William Mueller and Clara Trankle Mueller. In 1936, the family moved from Rewey to Mt. Hope. She was proud to remember that she was the Grant County 8th grade Spelling Bee Champion. She graduated as class salutatorian from Mount Hope High School and Madison Business College and worked for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for one year, returning home to marry the boy next door, Edward Ferguson on September 20, 1944. Together they farmed the land that has been in the Ferguson Family for over 100 years. Dorothy continued to live on the farm until her death.
Dorothy was a member of the Mount Hope United Methodist church for 79 years, serving the church in many capacities. She was particularly kind and attentive to the older members of her community, a bright light in their lives who could always be counted on to make any occasion special. Family and friends remember a gracious hostess who happily prepared meals for everyone to enjoy.

Dorothy was an agent for the Rural Companies for several years. She was a founding member of Thursday's Child, Inc., devoting countless hours to making wishes come true for thousands of children, both as a board member and as an executive director. Whether arranging special trips, meetings with celebrities or more practical wishes like winter clothes or a playground set, Dorothy made it happen for over 30 years. She especially enjoyed working with the staff at Give Kids the World, Inc. when making arrangements for families to visit Disney World. A paving stone near the chapel inscribed with her name is one of many on of the Avenue of Angels, a path connecting the Village's magical venues.
In 2010 she was honored by the Tri-State Red Cross, DuPaco and KWWL-TV with their annual “Heroes of the Tri-States Award” for her volunteer community impact.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edward on Jan. 25, 1994, twin daughters Nancy Jane and Kathryn Marie, nephews Bruce Ferguson and Robert Reiser, great nephews Dean Bray, Noah Chijimatsu, and Alejandro Placencia, great niece Hannah Placencia, and her best friend, Wilma Meyer.

She is survived by her daughter, Noël, Mt. Hope, her daughter and son-in-law Rosalie and John Everson, Brighton, CO, her son, Eric, Spring Green; grandchildren Sommer Everson, Leesburg, VA., Alexandrea and husband Ryan Agustin, Commerce City, CO, Bryant Everson, Denver, CO, brother Lloyd Mueller, sister-in-law Kathy Mueller, niece Amy (Javier) Placencia, their children Lauren and Jake, Crystal Lake, IL, nephew Matthew Mueller, Naperville, IL, her Ferguson nieces and nephews and their families - Susan (Pat) Noethe, Lake Mills, Sallie (Jim) Jay, Hartland, Shirley Reiser, Waunakee, Vaughn (Terri) Bray, Kirkland, WA, Edward (Carol )Bray , Danforth, IL Lynette (John) Lyon, Eagle, ID, and many treasured friends.

Dorothy requested memorials in her name be given to Research to Prevent Blindness, 645 Madison Ave. Floor 21, NY, NY 10022-1010 (www.rpbusa.org).

Services will be held at Noon on Saturday, February 13 at the Melby Funeral Home, 1245 North Water Street (Highway 80), Platteville. Friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 o'clock until the time of the service.