Obit: Ferries, Kieth M. #2 (1937 – 1995)
Contact: Duane Horn
Email:  capperhorn@centurytel.net

Surnames: Ferries, Gerke, Lister, Peterson, German, Bernette, Kuehl, Ziegelman, Anderson, Millis, Zillmer, Young, Tomter, Holt, Babnub, Severson, Stutz, McCormick, Blackdeer

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis.) January 25, 1995

Ferries, Kieth M. (5 Sept. 1937 – 21 Jan. 1995)

KIETH FERRIES

Kieth M. Ferries, 57, of rural Black River Falls, died on Saturday evening, Jan. 21, 1995 in his home, in the Town of Albion, Jackson County.

He was born on September 5, 1937, in Tomah, to Harvey and Pearl (Gerke) Ferries. He was raised in Tomah and graduated from Tomah High School in 1955. Following graduation he served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1958. He then attended La Crosse State College for 2 years.

In 1960 he moved to Black River Falls and managed Dan & Harry's Men's Clothing Store. He later purchased the business and operated it as K. Ferries Clothing, Inc. He expanded the business to eight different locations in Wisconsin. After discontinuing the clothing business, he owned and operated the Rustic Mill Supper Club from 1980 to 1990. At the time of his death, he was employed by the Ho-Chuck Nation Development.

He served on the Jackson County Board for the last 20 years, and he was chairman for the last 18 years. He was also a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was a member and past president of the Black River Falls Lions Club and the Jaycees. He was a member and past president of the Wisconsin Counties Association.

He married Lois Peterson in Black River Falls on Oct. 27, 1962. They were later divorced. He married Sharon German in Black River Falls on June 30, 1983. They also later divorced.

Survivors include two sons, Craig and Brian, both of Black River Falls; two daughters, Emily Ann and Michelle Louise Ferries, both of Black River Falls; one brother, Larry Ferries of Dowers Grove, IL; and two sisters, Sharon (Allen) Bernette of Wisconsin Rapids and Donna (Kenneth) Kuehl of Fargo, N.D.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one infant son, Charles.

Funeral services for Kieth M. Ferries were Tuesday, January 24, at l:30 p.m. from the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church. the Rev. Erik Ziegelman officiated and burial, with military honors, was in Riverside Cemetery. Friends called on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Torgerson's Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to services at the church.

Pall bearers were Mike Anderson, Bob and Bill Millis, Carroll Zillmer, Sam Young and Tom Tomter.

Honorary Pall bearers were Jim Holt, Claire Babnub, Bob Severson, Eric Stutz, Don McCormick, Curt Blackdeer and Tom Lister.

The family prefers memorials for a memorial fund that will be established at a later date.

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis.) January 25, 1995

COUNTY LOSES A LEADER

As editor of the Banner Journal, I didn't always agree with him and sometimes I was very verbal about my disagreeing, but we have lost a bright light here and another star has been added to the heavens.

After a lengthy battle with cancer, our County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kieth Ferries passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, in his home in Albion.

He will be missed by many personally and also many officially. His life was a living testament to what he believed best for the county and surrounding area.

The things he believed deeply in and fought for during his chairmanship will be used in the future as a measurement of worthiness on issues as they present themselves. There can be no greater compliment paid to any person.

We at the Banner Journal extend out condolences to his family.

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis.) July 7, 1997

FoxPoint Memorial in honor of Jackson County Board Chairman Kieth Ferries was dedicated on July 11 at Wazee Park overlooking Wazee Lake.