Eugene 'Gene" R. Ferson

Eugene “Gene” Ferson, 92, of Rochester MN and a longtime Stewartville, MN resident passed away surrounded by family, on July 10, 2025 of heart failure at Arbor Terrace in Rochester, MN where he had been a resident since  April 2024 .A Celebration of Life for Gene, his family and friends will take place on Saturday ( September 27, 2025) from 1 to 3:00 PM at the Stewartville Golf Club. Burial and a committal service will take place at St. Bernards Catholic Cemetery in Stewartville

Eugene Robert Ferson was born on January 24, 1933 in Tripoli, Iowa, the son of Keith and Lucinda (Spier) Ferson.  He grew up  on the family farm near Waterloo, IA.  and attended grade school at Black Hawk County Public School in Waterloo, IA.  The family moved to Stewartville in 1946 where Eugene graduated from Stewartville High School in 1951.  He entered into the US Army in 1953 serving 4 years including duty overseas during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge, he returned to SE MN to continue farming.  Eugene was married to Mary Joanne Koenig on October 25, 1958. They raised their family and farmed in Stewartville MN while Eugene also worked at Marigold Dairy for 20 years.  Mary was a farmwife and homemaker and was employed part time at Stewartville Nursing Home for 15 years.  They later moved to Rochester MN where Gene was a golf course groundskeeper for the City of Rochester for 19 years until his retirement.  He loved flower gardening and working in the outdoors so groundskeeping was a job that never seemed like work.

He was a past member of St Bernards Catholic Church of Stewartville, MN. and was a member of the Eagles in Rochester. Gene was an avid MN sports fan and enjoyed watching the Vikings and Twins play. He enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors and loved time spent with his family, especially his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eugene is survived by his wife - Mary  and 4 daughters and 3 sons - Brenda Jech of Rochester,  MN;  Karen(Mark) Golberg of rural Stewartville;  Angela (Doug) French of Webster, WI;  Suzanne (Larry) Lawrence of  Wasilla, Ak ;  sons - Brian (Jessica) Ferson of  the Phillipines;  Mark (Johanna) Ferson of Rochester, MN and Jerome (Brooke) Ferson of Pine Island,MN;  daughter-in-law – Tami Ferson of Chatfield,MN; 20 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren;  his siblings - Mary Ellen Billeaudeaux  of  Chandler,AZ,  Mae Miller of  Savage, MN  and Richard(Barb) Ferson of Austin, MN and many nieces and nephews. Eugene was preceded in death by his son - Thomas R. Ferson, his parents, his –brother -  Ronald Ferson and sister - Velma DeSerano.

 Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Gene are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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