Marilena H. Ferguson

Marilena Hedrick Ferguson, age 83, resident of Manhattan since 1960, died peacefully on Friday, June 6 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on March 20, 1931 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Rev. Robert Gideon Hedrick and Lallah Childress Hedrick. As the daughter of a Methodist Minister, she moved frequently during her youth living in Verdon, Earlsboro, Granite, Comanche, and Lawton, Oklahoma as well as Abilene and El Paso, Texas before the family settled in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She graduated from Muskogee High School in 1949 where, during her senior year, she was Band Queen. Marilena attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her affiliations with OU and Delta Gamma remained special to her throughout her life and she was quick to tell the story of when, as a greeter at her Sorority door, she met a tall and handsome young man. She promptly left her post to sleuth out his identity. He would become her future husband, Clyde Randolph Ferguson. After graduating, she taught elementary school in Oklahoma City. She and Clyde were married June 11, 1954 in Muskogee, Oklahoma at St. Paul United Methodist Church. They were joined in marriage by her father. In 1956 the couple moved, sight unseen, to Durham, North Carolina where Clyde entered the MA/PhD history program at Duke University. Marilena worked in the chemistry department at Duke before finding another elementary teaching position where she worked for the next four years. She fondly remembered their time there as a great adventure where they began their lifelong love of bird watching and made friendships that lasted a lifetime. In 1960, Marilena and Clyde moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Clyde had accepted a teaching position at Kansas State University. Together, they created a life rich with family, meaningful friendships, hobbies and pursuits. As Clyde began his career in academia, Lena began raising their three children, Maria, Chamblee and Bob. Marilena held various jobs, from Art Lady for a program that introduced great works of art in Manhattan public elementary schools, to teller at the First National Bank of Manhattan. However Marilena’s favorite job was as a mother and homemaker. In 1970, Marilena was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she battled for eight years and beat. An avid bird watcher, she pursued many other hobbies and interests, such as mushroom hunting and traveling throughout the world. A Wildcat fan and KSU football and basketball season ticket holder from 1960- 2014, she was also a member of the Gourmet Club, Book Club, Blue Chip Investment Club, and AAUW. None of these brought her as much joy as her family. An incredible mentor and support to her children and grandchildren, she always backed their legitimate activities. From athletic to civic to artistic, she was their greatest fan. Marilena leaves behind an adoring family, including: her husband Clyde Randolph Ferguson; her brother Robert G. Hedrick, Jr.; her daughter Maria and wife Sheree Goecke and their daughter Alyssa Kinsey Renck; her son Chamblee and his wife Lynn Blackburn and children Mackenzie Ferguson, Alexander Ferguson, and Liam Ferguson; her son Bob and his wife Holly and children Hannah Haidar, Charlotte Ferguson, and Phoebe Ferguson. Friends may sign the register book at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday until the time of the service. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan, Kansas. Burial will be in Marlow, Oklahoma on Thursday, June 12 at 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made in Marilena Ferguson’s name to the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society, to the Konza Prairie Education Program, or to Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan. For more information or to send an email condolence or gift visit the funeral homes website at irvinparkview.com.