William Ferring
William “Bill” P. Ferring, 81, of Waukon passed away peacefully with his family by his side Thursday evening, September 17, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Private family services were held Monday, September 21 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic School, Veterans Memorial Hospital or Winneshiek Hospice. Condolences can be sent to Karen Ferring at 1010 Second Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172.
William Peter Ferring was born January 17, 1939 in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, the son of Leo and Florence (Haas) Ferring. He was the youngest of six children. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and attended Emmett country school in rural Waukon through the eighth grade. Bill then started his lifelong career as a farmer.
January 6, 1962, he married Karen Hanson at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Together, they worked side by side farming and raising their family for the next 58 years.
Bill was a lifetime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He enjoyed Gator rides with his wife, children and grandchildren checking out the crops and going down to the pond. Bill also enjoyed driving around in his pick-up to visit with the neighbors and friends, and to go looking for wildlife. He spent many hours playing cards at the City Club in Waukon with his buddies.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Karen, of Waukon; his children: Barbara (Mark) Howe of Waukon, Cynthia Ferring of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Linda) Ferring of Waukon, Lorie (Tracy) Evans of Parnell, James (special friend Delilah) Ferring of Atkins and Christine (special friend Mark) Ferring of Hiawatha; 10 grandchildren: Justin (Ami) Howe, Matt Howe, Emily (Jesse) Spors, Jennifer (Chad) Bennett, Caleb (Danielle) Ferring, Colin Ferring, Callie Ferring, Amber (Daniel) Cross, and Brandon and Jackson Ferring; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Virginia Moore of New Albin; a brother-in-law, Robert (Gloria) Hanson of Waukon; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Msgr. Robert L. Ferring; three sisters: Rita Mae (Lawrence) Ward, Jeanne (Jack) Bresnahan and Cecilia (Dale) Bublitz; and a brother-in-law, James Moore.
Casketbearers were Bill’s grandsons and a nephew, Dave Bublitz. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
