George Ferring

George L. Ferring, 88, of Lansing passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at Gunderson Lutheran Health Systems in La Crosse, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, May 9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing. Burial followed at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing.
George Lester, the son of John and Emma (Strub) Ferring, was born March 18, 1926 in Waukon. In 1944, George joined the U.S. Navy.  He served for two years on the U.S.S. Oglethorpe, an amphibious cargo ship, alongside his lifelong friend, Jim Schallhorn.
After his return from the Navy, George met and was united in marriage with Winifred Barthell at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon October 5, 1948. For the next 28 years they farmed and raised their family on the Carl Halverson farm on Dryridge. After leaving the farm in 1976, George worked for three years at Great Plains Lumber in Waukon. He then spent 10 years as a school bus driver for the Eastern Allamakee Community Schools.  George also spent 20 years as a janitor and cemetery custodian for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing.
George loved his family and enjoyed all family get-togethers and reunions. He enjoyed playing cards with his many friends. Hunting and fishing were among his favorite things to do and his deer hunting buddies from Balltown were very special to him. George was an avid Kee High School baseball fan. He enjoyed supporting Coach Gene Schultz and all of the players. He was honored to be the #1 fan for many years and he rarely missed a game.
George is survived by his wife of 65 years, Winnie, of Lansing; two daughters, Marie (Jerry) Snider of La Crosse, WI and Jackie (Tom) Conrad of La Crescent, MN; eight grandchildren, Rick (Mick) Ferring, Jeff (Melissa) Snider, Jay Snider, Donny Tobin, Lindsy (Zach) Johnson, Ryan (Meagan) Conrad, Ashly Conrad and Danny Jo Kiley; and five great-grandchildren, Gander and Graham Conrad, Jack and Emerson Snider, and Elijah Johnson.
George was preceded in death by his son, Larry Ferring; his daughter, Georgia Tobin; his grandson, Ronnie Ferring; his parents; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Zita and Leonard Duster, and Theodora and Leland DeLong; and two nephews, Jerry and Jan DeLong.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing assisted the family with arrangements.