Long time DHS English Teacher and Wife of Coach Ferguson Passed Away

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I talked to Edna's sister Ruth today. She is a younger sister who graduated from the Custer SD high school. She was happy to hear that many dhsclassmates remember Edna and how she contributed to our lives and education. Not many attended Edna's graveside service.

A few weeks ago Ruth visited Edna in Hot Springs. Edna become ill with a relatively minor medical problem. She did not respond to treatment and suddenly become worse. She was moved to the Rapid City hospice and died within a short time..

Edna was always bright and cheerful. She loved to hear from her students and attended just about all the DHS Runions of late. She drove a bright colored Pontiac Vibe so it was easy to spot Edna when she was in Deadwood. The family decided to keep the Vibe and drove it back to CA.

Ruth is every bit as delightful as Edna and sounds much like her too. Ruth is going to have her family show her dhsclassmates so she can see Edna's tribute and other articles.

DickD 8-19-2009

~~~NOTE: COMMENTS WILL ADDED BELOW AS THEY ARE RECEIVED~~~

Edna Ferguson Robinson

1921 - 2009

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A number of people have passed away since this picture. Names are not listed.

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Edna Robinson 3rd from left front row and Elsie Krug to her right.

50 Year Reunion of DHS54 in 2004

Edna Ferguson Robinson died August 10, 2009 at age 88.

She lived in a Hot Springs retirement home but still kept the original Deadwood house she shared with “Fergie” at 38 Denver Street. She was a long time English Teacher at DHS. I have talked to her quite a bit recently. She was very active and had a marvelous sense of humor. She attended many reunion functions over the years. She was delightful and happy to meet every one of her students, wives, and anyone in attendance. The group picture above is not the best but was taken in 2004 at the 50 Year Reunion of DHS54. Edna is in the front row, third from left, in blue dress. Elsie Krug is to her right in a red pants suit. They both were ageless.

During my last telephone call with Edna, I asked her how she felt about DHS and what was her most important school achievement. She said DHS and Deadwood school system was top caliber and the administration/staff was dedicated to educate the students and prepare them for a successful life. She said her most important school achievement was every student she ever taught. She loved them all and tried to be firm to each student’s need. She is very proud of DHS.

I mentioned to Edna that I write dhsclassmates as an amateur writer using Internet publishing. I tried to explain digital media, visualizing and social interchange. She replied she had a computer but did not know how to turn in on. But anyway, she really laughed when I told her that now I wish I had been a better student in her classes.

Please write in Edna’s guestbook and click on GUESTBOOK.

Obituary:

Edna Robinson
DEADWOOD - Edna Ferguson Robinson, 88, passed away Monday, August 10, 2009 at Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice House. Edna was born Sept. 19, 1920 on the family ranch in Custer County to John and Lita (Graham) McAdam. She was reared by her father's sister Fannie McAdam and brother Robert McAdam. She attended Hot Springs High School, graduating in 1938. Edna then received a Bachelor's degree in 1942 from the University of Arkansas- Monticello. While at university, Edna met and married Coach Stewart A. Ferguson in 1940. Edna spent World War II in Louisiana at Navy Pre-Flight School. She then moved to Deadwood in 1944, becoming a librarian and English teacher at Deadwood High School. A son, Stewart A. Ferguson was born in 1947 - he preceded her in death in 1996. After Coach Ferguson's death in 1955, Edna moved to Sheridan, WY as a high school librarian for one year. She returned to Deadwood for two years as librarian at the Deadwood Public Library. She then moved to Ellsworth Air Base to coordinate the 7th grade English department for two years. Edna then married Harry Robinson in 1960 and returned to Deadwood in 1961 as high school English teacher and librarian, before moving to California in 1965. There she served as librarian with the Colton School District until retiring in 1983. After retirement she returned to Deadwood. Edna was a member of several educational and social organizations including: South Dakota Retired Teachers Assn., California Retired Teachers, Deadwood Round Table Club and the United Methodist Church. Survivors include her three sisters, Ruth Lewis and Louise Schram, both of CA, and JoAnn Picholtz of CT; her step-daughter, Colleen Robinson-Meyers of Rapid City; former daughter-in-law, Jill Tiffany of Spearfish; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, close friends, including Mayme Boltz and Marilynne Hudgens and former students. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; her son, Stewart "Freddy" Ferguson; a step-son, Jim Robinson; two brothers; and a sister. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 15, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Deadwood. The Aldinger Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.aldingerfuneralhome.com . COMMENTS: ~~~~~~ What a wonderful teacher Edna was. I loved having her as part of my DHS education system .Very recently Janet Burke Burtzlaff and I were discussing her on the telephone. I am so sorry to learn of her passing. She contributed so much, in so many ways,to her students and friends during her lifetime. She will be missed by all who knew her and will always be remembered with love and admiration.. A great lady. Yvonne Spaulding Hendrickson 8-13-2009 ~~~~~~ Edna was an interesting study. Here is a bit of trivia. Back in 1962 following our marriage and return to Albuquerque. Our mode of transportationwas the following: The bright red convertible was good for getting Carol’s attention, but not much of afamily car, so I traded it on a family car. Don’t even remember what now. But I did the trade-in up in Deadwood. So who buys the convertible? Edna Ferguson!! I sure would like to have that car back now as a big boy’s toy. DaveK 8-14-2009 ~~~~~~ There are so many memories about Coach and Mrs. Ferguson and when my husband, Gene, was alive, we used to talk about both of them often and what they meant to us as we were growing up in in the environment of Deadwood Public School. Mrs. Ferguson was our school Librarian and I spent many hours there helping shelve books and learning backwards and forwards the Dewey Decimal System. She was also my "coach" when I entered the High School Poetry Contest. She was always there to help students. She had a dry sense of humor. She always had my respect. The last time I spoke with her was at a 1954 Class Reunion. Like all of us - she looked a little older - but the essence of her was absolutely in place. How lucky we were to have her and Coach Ferguson as our teachers and mentors. We will miss her; but, we will always have our special memories. Marcia KayW 8-13-2009 ~~~~~~~