Harlan Conway FERGUSON

FERGUSON, JOENKS, BRUECHERT, SMITH, EYRE, UMBRELL, GRAVE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

Harlan Conway Ferguson, 89, of Johnston, formerly of West Branch and Missouri Valley, passed away on Sunday, Oct 15, at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines. Harlan was one of the first Iowa girl’s track coaches,

Funeral Service: 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 20, Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.

Harlan was born on May 2, 1928, near Laurens. He attended country school and later graduated from Laurens High School in 1946. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Germany during the Korean War. In 1953, he married Myrna Joenks on Feb 15.

He attended Northwest Missouri State and Buena Vista College, graduating in 1959 earning is Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Later, he attended Drake University where he received his Masters in Education. He also received his Special Education degree from University of South Dakota.

While attending Drake University, Harlan worked for the Iowa Girl’s High School Athletic Union. When he was working for the union, he was one of the coaches for the Iowa Federated teams that competed throughout the country.

Harlan taught Physical Education, was the Athletic Director and coached at many schools in Iowa, including Manilla, Missouri Valley, and Eagle Grove. He taught Special Education in Le Mars.

During the summers in Le Mars he worked for the Iowa Conservation Corp helping the county young people improve the county fairgrounds and many other sites. Having done it for 46 years, Harlan enjoyed coaching girls track, along with many other sports. He was inducted in the National Girl’s High School Coaches Hall of Fame and was recognized numerous other times for his achievements throughout various communities. He also enjoyed woodworking and mentoring and coaching his students. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, and St Louis Cardinals. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a 32nd Degree member of the Freemasons.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Lois Ferguson; sister, Sharon Bruechert; mother and father-in-law, Harold and Blanche Joenks; and brother-in law and sister-in-law, Frank and Rita Joenks. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Myrna (Joenks); three children, Curtis (Lori) Ferguson of Ankeny, Candra (Carroll) Smith of Thornton Colo., Colleen (Frank) Eyre of Cedaredge, Colo.; six grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; sister, Marlene (Art) Umbrell of Laurens; brothers, Gerald (Sylvia) Ferguson of Tipton and Dell (Trudy) Ferguson of Tyler, Texas; sister-in-law, Lois (Gary) Grave of Redwood Falls, Minn.; brother-in-law, John (Karol) Joenks of Knoxville; and several nieces and nephews.

“Run fast and turn left” would be heard by his track teams, track having been his first love, as Myrna would say.

A memorial fund has been established. Arrangements by Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch.