Judith Marlene Ferguson

Fort Benton - Judy Marlene Bosse Ferguson, a.k.a. “Judy”, our beloved Mother and Grandmother passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in her home surrounded by her family.

Judy was born on July 6, 1944 (she was a firecracker and should have been born on July 4th) in Britton, South Dakota to William and Martha Bosse. Judy was the second of four children. Judy was raised on a farm and attended elementary school in Brampton, North Dakota. Judy participated in basketball and marching band playing saxophone. Basketball then was played half court 3 on 3, with players playing either offense or defense. Judy played defense, and was tenacious. Judy worked through high school for Wayne and Barb Seelhammer at their meat locker plant in Cogswell. It was while working there that she met Doug Ferguson. Judy was selected Queen of Sargent County and graduated from Sargent Central high school in 1962 located in Forman, ND.

Mom and Dad were the odd couple, Doug at 6'4"and Judy at 5'2"; but they just fit. It was like putting two Legos together and they just snapped together never to be separated until Doug passed in April of 2022. They were together for almost sixty years.

Judy’s working career started with babysitting children in Ft. Benton until Marta started Kindergarten. She then was the secretary to the Chouteau County Attorney and then a research assistant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture saline seep project with Dr. Brown until that program was disbanded. Then Judy began a long career of over 25 years with the FSA as chief programs assistant. Judy was even offered to run a County office in Eastern Montana. When Judy retired, she was the highest-ranking employee at the FSA in Montana without a college diploma. Farmers and ranchers often sat quietly in the FSA office drinking coffee until Judy’s desk freed up for her to help them with various programs to enroll in.

Judy was a world traveler. Judy traveled with her daughter Marta, all over the World. Sometimes they traveled by themselves other times on tours. Judy enjoyed traveling with Marta’s students from school. I can’t list all the places we traveled, but a list of her three favorite spots would be: 1) Costa Rica, zip lining, horseback riding down a volcano side, floating in a river with crocodiles, and absolutely loving the students she travelled with; 2) Cuba, it was just so different with beautiful white beaches, food to die for, cars to gawk at, but the people were just so happy; and 3) Ecuador/Galapagos Islands/ Peru, the animals at the Galapagos Islands, the Equator Museum, the people and of course second time she was visiting Peru and Machu Picchu. Mom loved to travel and she loved to share what she experienced. Mom truly enjoyed traveling with my students and other adults.

Judy was also a huge advocate for exercise, especially after she retired from the FSA. She loved Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, just walking and SAIL. Judy before being a world traveler, she was a traveling Mom. She travelled around the state enjoying watching her children do activities which extended into college. Her love for sports carried right through to her passing. Judy was watching the WNBA and LLWS. Judy became an avid Oklahoma University fan after Marta drug her to many of the OU athletic events while living for a year with Grandson Hayden in Oklahoma City. He pursued his internship in Neuro Psychology. Judy also enjoyed discussing law with her Granddaughter Delanie while she was studying for her Bar Exam. Grandma took credit for helping her pass because she cooked, cleaned and was quiet while

Delanie studied in the basement for her test.

Judy was pretty petite but ruled the house. She was a mother, a nurse, a referee, a taxi driver for activities. She had a shoulder to cry on and laugh on, she was a rock of strength and faith. She was the greatest Mother to her two children and Grandmother to her two grandchildren that you could ever ask for. We were always so proud to call her our Mother and Grandmother.

Judy was involved in several civic groups and activity groups in Fort Benton and Chouteau County. I am sure we will miss some so my apologies. Judy was involved with the first-time quilt guild, Eye of the Needle Quilt Guild, and she sewed beautiful quilts (a lot of quilts went to the Linus Project and Chouteau County Cancer Support Group); she loved helping the Chouteau County Recyclers; she belonged to LWML for the Lutheran Church; she also was actively involved with GFWCC Women’s Club (Treasure for several years) in Fort Benton.

Mom was a quiet, friendly, small and yet strong person who fiercely defended her children when she felt needed. To the point of almost being excused by the referee from a heated 8th grade basketball game in Conrad I was participating in. No matter how loud the crowd in Jr. High, Highschool or College, I could always hear her voice and her words of encouragement for me.

Judy’s grandson, Hayden, fondly remembers warm summer weekends in Fort Benton at his grandparents’ home. Judy was a very active grandmother; she taught her grandkids how to garden, turning seed and soil into loving gifts in a pickle jar or rhubarb pie. She emulated community service and generosity through small acts of kindness, regularly taking homemade treats to neighbors and spearheading the local recycling initiative. Her beautiful handwriting adorns thoughtful cards that her grandchildren still cherish and her creative spark lives on in the beautiful quilts she churned out like a one-woman factory. In 2023, Judy and Marta took a leap of faith and joined Hayden in Oklahoma City for a year of sun, swimming, and shenanigans. Hayden will always treasure that time; it’s a rare thing to have such a close bond with one’s grandparents, something for which he will be forever grateful.

Judy was a devoted wife, mother, member of the Fort Benton community, and, most importantly a wonderful grandma. Judy’s granddaughter Delanie cherishes the memories of the numerous acts of love and kindness her grandma did for her including making sure Delanie’s desk while she studied for the bar exam never went without fresh flowers and ensuring that Delanie got to wake up to homemade waffles on weekends spent at grandma and grandpa’s house. Judy’s grandchildren had the privilege to be Judy’s companion on many adventures from local trips to the Flower Farm to driving around the country visiting dinosaur museums and the Sturges Motorcycle Rally (ok, that one was an accident). Delanie is thankful for the life skills her grandma taught her including how to cook just about anything. Delanie now has Judy’s recipe boxes and will carry on the tradition of those recipes. Delanie will greatly miss her grandma’s love and unconditional support.

We would like to thank several people who helped us through this journey with Mom. Michelle Nack came into our lives in May as a Home Health Nurse. Michelle’s knowledge, kindness, guidance and empathy know no bounds. She is a wonderful lady. Judy, Jeff and Marta are proud to call her friend and

part of our family. Thank you to all of the CNA's and Nurses at BMRMC. Your love, empathy and knowledge helped Judy so many times, we are blessed to have you in Fort Benton. NP Angelica Johnson is truly an Angel. Angel’s name is appropriate because working with Judy all these years she has been a staple in our lives and Judy’s care. Along with Thad, who knew Judy’s bones better than Judy did. PA Anderson, is new to our community but ended up being a guide that we needed in our time of need. Peace Hospice was a pure joy to work with at our time for comfort and support. Janice Woodhouse, we thank you for just being a phone call away to help with any questions and all the support and guidance you graciously provided for years for both of our parents. The Ferguson Family appreciates all of you for helping us with Mom.

Judy is survived by her two children; Jeff (Debbie) Ferguson, Marta Ferguson; grandchildren Hayden Ferguson and Delanie Ferguson; and brother Gerald (Dee) Bosse.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, parents and two siblings; Donna Zimmer and Jim Bosse.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.bentonfh.com

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Benton Pool Fund (where Judy sent her children to swim every day, imagine that) also Fort Benton Memorial Ambulance 810 15th Street Fort Benton, MT 59442.

Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29th, 2027 at the Brampton, ND Cemetery. The Ferguson Family wants to thank everyone for the unbelievable outpouring of thoughts, stories, and memories that have been sent to us. There will be no services in Fort Benton.