Mary Kay Ferguson

Mary Kay Ferguson passed away on Dec. 5, 2017, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, at the age of 73 following a sudden illness. She was born in Elgin, Illinois to Herbert John and Edna Mary (Sederstram) Beacon on April 6, 1944.

A native of Elgin, Kay attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in nursing from Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. She worked as a nurse in Chicago and Elgin, before marrying John “Jack” Cotter Ferguson on March 25, 1967, in Elgin. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Steamboat Springs with friends and family.

It was not long after marrying Jack and moving to Wyoming that she left nursing and took over the day-to-day management of the Saratoga Inn in Saratoga. Kay, Jack, Jack’s dad Cotter Ferguson, and George Allen had bought the Inn in 1967. Kay and Jack sold their interest in the Inn in 1969 and moved to Laramie where they worked for American Nuclear Corporation. American later moved its headquarters to Casper where the Fergusons made their home for 33 years. Their careers with American spanned over 20 years. They always worked as a team with Kay retiring as vice president of administration. Following their retirement, they moved to Steamboat Springs.

Kay never really gave up nursing as extended family and friends can tell you. She cared for their many scuffs and scrapes and took care of Jack’s father Cotter and his wife Elaine so they could remain in their home in Saratoga during their fight with cancer. This is but one example of the caring person she was and an example of how she always stepped up to help when asked and then see the task through. She will be greatly missed by many!

Kay served on numerous boards including most recently that of Steamboat’s Over the Hill Gang where she served as co-chair of its social committee and the community contribution committee. Planning dinners, meetings, and activities for her family and friends as well as organizing many club activities were her special gifts.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jack Ferguson; brother, John Beacon (wife Jean) of Terre Haute, Indiana; brothers-in-law, Jay Ferguson (wife Diane), of Northborough, Massachusetts; and Mark (wife Dianne) Ferguson, of Austin, Texas; sisters-in-law, Lynn Ferguson, of Yelm, Washington; and Krisan Ferguson Crow, Venice, California; and nephew, Steve (wife Beverly) Ferguson of Greensboro, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her nephew Jeff Ferguson and her beloved Welsh Terriers Griff, Garth and Ally.

A celebration of Mary Kay’ s life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Olympian Hall at 845 Howelsen Parkway in Steamboat Springs commencing at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Donations in memory of Mary Kay can be made to Routt County Humane Society, PO Box 772080, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, phone: (970) 879-7247, email: [email protected].

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Yampa Valley Funeral Home. Phone: 970-879-1494, Email: [email protected].