Obituary: Esther Ferley

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In memory of

Esther Ferley

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 82

Esther M. Noe was born July 27, 1926, in Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of Phinis and Belva (Dingman) Noe. She grew up in the Northwood community and graduated from Northwood High School in 1943. As a young lady she worked as a receptionist for a medical doctor and later worked for the Social Welfare Service of Iowa.
Esther was united in marriage to Glenn M. Ferley on July 2, 1944 at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Silver Lake, Iowa. They made their home in Northwood, where Esther worked as a secretary at the Wilson Packing Plant office in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In October 1946, the family moved to Pierre, where Glenn worked for Dukelow and Ferley Jewelers. In 1949, Glenn moved to Philip, where he operated Ferley Jewelers within Husband’s Bakery. Esther and the boys joined him in Philip in February 1950.
While in Philip, Esther worked for Harold Covey in the Law and Abstract Office, and later as a bookkeeper for Mike Groven’s Phillips 66 Station. She also worked at the Philip Livestock Auction from 1974 through 1988, then as a bookkeeper for Wampler Lumber Company from 1976 through 1993, and for Moses Building Center until August 1997.
Esther was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Philip.
Grateful for having shared her life include her husband of 64 years, Glenn Ferley of Philip; three sons Steve Ferley and his wife Beth Anne of Rapid City, Jerry Ferley and his wife Lee Ann of Oelrichs, and Dan Ferley and his wife Lana of Ft. Collins, Colorado; a daughter-in-law Mary A. Ferley of Evansville, Indiana; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Esther was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Mike Noe; three sisters Roberta Wilkuski, Lorene Schutz, and Belva Hove; and two sisters in infancy.
Visitation was held from 3-6 p.m. on Monday, January 26, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the service at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established to the Haakon County Prairie Transportation. Memorials can be directed to P.O. Box 206, Philip, SD 57567

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, January 27, 2009—1:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Frezil Westerlund
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage—Pianist
Elvera Moos—Vocalist
“Amazing Grace”
“On Eagles’ Wings”
“The Lord’s Prayer”
USHERS
Mike Groven—Rick Groven
PALLBEARERS
Scott Kennedy—Randy Reckling
Roger Peterson—Jeff Penticoff
Mike Moses—Mark Brucklacher
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Visitation: 3-6 p.m. on Monday, January 26, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip,
Funeral services: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip.
Interment: Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

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Dear Esther's family,
I was saddened to hear of Esther's passing. She was a lady with a great sense of humor. We shared much laughter and love during her home health days. Her stories were great to listen to - filled with humor, until she spoke of her boys and their children. At that time she spoke with tender love and PRIDE.
I have thought of her often since she's been in Rapid and I suspect I always will.
Rocky and I send our deepest sympathies and warmest prayers for all of you during this sad time.
God bless you all.
With love, ~ Rebecca Williams PO Box 421 (1/23/2009)
Deepest sympathy to Glenn and all of Esther's family. Glenn, you are in our prayers as you go through the days ahead. Esther is now at peace. Love and blessings to all. Cork and Bev ~ Cork & Bev Jahner Kerrville, Texas (1/23/2009)
Our deepest sympathy to the Ferley family. Esther was a true "gem" and it was a delight knowing her when she and Glenn were active in the church. May the love of family and friends help comfort you at this time. ~ Dave & Karen Webb Rapid City SD (1/23/2009)
Steve, Glenn & families, Just wanted you to know we are thinking of you all during this difficult time. Our hearts and prayers go out to each and everyone of you. We have so many fond memories of a great lady and good friend. May God be with you in the days ahead. ~ Dennis Kennedy & Judy Philip (1/23/2009)
Our prayers are with you, always! ~ Mike Nita Conley and The Girls Rapid City (1/23/2009)
Steve, I know how much you cared for your mother, and she was as lucky to have you as you were to have her. Marvina and I will keep you, your mom, and your family in our prayers. ~ Bob Garcia Rapid City (1/23/2009)
To the Ferley family: All of the Husband family extends sympathy in the loss of your mother and our friend, Esther. Didn't we have some good times together -- the Husbands and the Ferleys? I think Dad and your dad, Glenn, kept the cafes in business with their frequent "coffee time". Mom and Esther put up with them, though. Two great couples. Love, Joey Husband Peterson ~ Joey Husband Peterson Faith, SD (1/23/2009)
To my Great Uncle, my Cousins and there families, may God hold you and carry you for as long as need. I enjoyed the visits every summer when I traveled with my grandparents Carl & Besty Hove on trips to South Dakota. I will always have wonderful memories of those times.
Everyone here send their love to you all.
The Hove Family ~ Al Hove Chula Vista, CA (1/23/2009)
Sorry for yuor loss. You have my sympathy. I always enjoyed visiting with Ester. She was always interesting and never had a shortage of things to talk about. ~ Gene Nelson 590 440th Street (1/23/2009)
To the Ferley family you have our warmest and heart felt thoughts and prayers. Steve and Beth Ann we know what you are going through and want you to know we are thinking about you. My parents always thought the Ferley family was one of the Greatest. All our prayers are with you!
Tom, Kamie, Abbie and Emily Carmichael ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael 312 Grand Ave. Delta, Co. (1/23/2009)
Dear Steve & Beth Ann, Jerry, Dan and families. We were so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I have known Esther since I can remember as we were neighbors when we were little kids in Philip and your folks have been most impressionable all my life. Your Mom was so active in her working career and it resembled so much the type of jobs I have had. We loved to visit with her and we will miss her very much. Take care and may God bless you all. ~ Don and Vi Moody Philip, Sd (1/23/2009)
Our sympathy to Glen and the boys. I just visited with Glen the first of the year when Tillman pasted away. I know how good friends our folks were, they all will be missed! May the Lord be with you all. ~ Ron Christianson Northwood,IA (1/23/2009)
To the family of Esther Noe Ferley. Although I did not personally know Esther I would like to offer my sympathy to your family. Esther was my mothers first cousin and I know they had not seen each other in many years. My mother was Margie Noe Baker, daughter of Henry Noe. Henry Noe and Phinis Noe were brothers. I was aquainted with Belva (Betsy) Hove and exchanged family information with her on numerous occasions, visiting in person with Betsy twice in Northwood, IA. while she was visiting her sister Lorene Schutz at the nursing home. I really enjoyed communications with Betsy and wish I had known Esther as well. If anyone in the family would like to continue the Noe family tree with me, feel free to email me at, rolinda@iowatelecom.net. May God continue to bless your family in this difficult time. Linda Oltrogge
~ Linda Oltrogge Reinbeck, Iowa (1/23/2009)
Dear Ferley Family: Of course, I know your family name from the jewelry stores; I always thought they were high class (country girl from Belvidere; Philip and Pierre were "high class"!). But I got to know Esther a little more when my Grandma Beryl Stell (sister-in-law of Harold Covey, from Sturgis) passed away. Esther was so gracious to me at that time, and I have forever thanked Esther in my heart for being such a good friend and business friend to my namesake Grandma. My own Mom and Dad always appreciated Esther, too. May God be especially close to you at this time. In Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer ~ Beryl (Addison) Geer PO Box 2018, Gillette, WY 82717-2018 (1/23/2009)