Obituary of Esther FERGUSON

Esther Elodia Ferguson of Wood Mountain, SK, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2014, at the age of 77 years. Esther was born February 17, 1937, the youngest child of Martin Wajunta and Elodia Blackbird, at Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. She was a band member of the Standing Buffalo First Nation, she grew up and entered Lebret Indian Residential School, she left school when she was a teen and began to work for surrounding farmers and ranchers as a labourer, as well as helping her father raise his horses. She was well known as an accomplished horsewoman and rider on the reserve. Building her own loghome, she resided close to her parents, helping them raise many grandchildren until she met and married her husband, Andrew Ferguson. They moved back to his home reserve of Wood Mountain First Nation and built their small, modest ranch, raising cattle and training horses. She worked alongside her husband, who was the reserve’s pasture manager and maintenance man, until a back injury forced him to retire from his position and a heart attack ended his ranching and farming. Esther spend many years fixing fence, brushing, cleaning waterholes, and helping working cattle. She raised her own family, she loved the outside life and well as the inside one, of being a homemaker and wife and mother. Predeceased by her husband Andrew; her children, son Alfred, and daughters Rosalie and Sharon; and granddaughter Lori. She leaves behind her daughter Lita (Steven) and their daughter Katherine; son Joseph (Ethel) and his children Joe Jr., Iris and Sherri; grandsons Aaron and Michael. As well as great grandchildren Rain Aerius, Donavon and Cherish. As well as many more nephews and nieces, grandchildren and their children. Many, many more relatives, too many to name. But will be greatly missed by all. Wake was held on Friday, September 19, 2014, beginning and 10:00 p.m. and continued until the Funeral Service on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., both at the Lakota First Nation Community Center, Wood Mountain, SK. Medicine Man was Larry McKay. Pallbearers were Brendon Wajunta, Avery Wajunta, Barry Caragata, Aaron Yorga, Steve Robichaud and Corbin Selody. Interment took place at the Lakota First Nation Church Cemetery, Wood Mountain, SK. Memorial donations in memory of Esther to the Saskatchewan Diabetes Association, 917 Albert St., Regina, SK S4R 2P6, were greatly appreciated.