James H. Ferries, 90, of Nekoosa, Wis., and formerly of Wilton died Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, at the Wisconsin Rapids Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born Nov. 14, 1921, to Vern and Beulah (Dempsey) Ferries on the family farm in Wilton. He was baptized at the Methodist church in Wilton and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilton. He graduated from the Wilton High School.
On Aug. 8, 1942, Jim was united in marriage to Bernice E. Brandau at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. They moved to Milwaukee, where he worked at Allis Chalmers Supercharger Defense Factory. After the war, Jim attended mortuary science school, and after school, they moved back to Wilton, where Jim served his apprenticeship.
Jim decided to pursue a degree in agriculture education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, graduating first with a bachelor’s degree and later with a master’s degree. He taught for 21 years at Owen Withee High School and for 10 years at Lakeshore Technical Institute, as the coordinator-supervisor of the agriculture education department.
He served as the past president of the Owen Kiwanis Club, Owen-Withee Education Association, past president of Owen Junior Fair, past president of the Lakeshore Education Association; he served on the board of directors for WAVAE; he was designated as an Honorary Wisconsin State Farmer; and he served as the vice president of the NVATA Region III. Jim was a life member of the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, a member and past state president of the Wisconsin Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Wisconsin Association of Vocational Teachers and Adult Educators, a charter member of the FFA Alumni Association, and Phi Delta Kappa.
He was also a member of Woodland Lutheran Church in Nekoosa, serving as past president of the congregation, and a past member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Manitowoc, Wis.
Although Jim and Bernice did not have time for a honeymoon when they first were married, they honeymooned all through their retirement. They enjoyed numerous trips all over the world, and some of their special trips were to Oberammergau, Germany, to see the Passion Play; Stonehenge, England; Cancun, Mexico; Acapulco, Mexico; and a very special 80th birthday trip to Churchill, Canada, to see the beautiful polar bears of the north.
Even though Jim enjoyed traveling to far distant locations, some of his most precious trips were spent close to home with those he loved so dearly, his grandchildren and brothers. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying visiting his brothers out West for elk hunting. He also enjoyed deep-sea fishing on the gulf with his grandchildren.
Jim was a man of high moral standards. He was honest to a fault and very passionate about those ideas he believed in. He was a proud grandpa, devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and brother.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Bernice of Nekoosa; his daughters, Sandra Zenor of Nekoosa and Paula (Roger) Schroeder of Watertown, Wis.; his grandchildren, Heidi (Paul) Hanus, Travis (Michelle) Sarinske, Justin Sarinske and Sarah Hraban; eight great-grandchildren, Colton Hanus, Austin Hanus, Emmilyn Hanus, Elizabeth Hanus, Nathaniel Sarinske, Mersadie Sarinske, Dylan Sarinske and Taylor Sarinske; a great-great-grandchild, Katie Scarlett Hanus; three brothers, John (Audrey) Ferries and Jay (Isabell) Ferries both of Sheridan, Wyo., and Jeremy Ferries of Corvallis, Ore.; a sister, Margaret (Wes) Meachum of Wilton; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jacob Hraban; and a son-in-law, Clifford Zenor.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Woodland Lutheran Church, 280 14th Ave., town of Rome (Nekoosa). Pastor Stan Kwiecien will officiate. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, town of Wellington.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 5–7:30 p.m. Thursday at Woodland Church in Nekoosa and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home in Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
