Sumiko Ferguson, 83, of Libby

Sumiko Ferguson, 83, of Libby passed away Thursday June 6, 2013, of natural causes.  

She was born March 10, 1930, in Torakuji, Kyoto-Fu, Japan, to Kokichi and Koya (Yoshioka) Imanishi.  She grew up close to Torakuji, Kyoto-Fu, Japan, walking a few miles to school each day.  

On Sept. 6, 1952, Sumi married Nicholas Ferguson in Tokyo, Japan. Together, with their son, Johnnie, they boarded a ship in 1954, heading to Oregon, Mo. It was 15 of the longest days for them as Sumi and Johnnie were sick much of the trip.  

They spent 30 years in Missouri where Sumi loved being a mom to her three children, gardening and visiting with friends whom she still shared a close friendship. They retired to Libby in 1984, a place that had been a favorite vacation spot for them. 

She could often be found out picking huckleberries, ferns or mushrooms with Nick. She, of course, turned their pickings into a tasty entrée to be enjoyed by friends. Sumi spent many hours at Libby Christian Church where she volunteered at the mission store; helped cook and serve many a dinner, including the holiday dinners served.

Sumi is survived by her husband of 60 years, Nick of Libby; son, Johnnie (JoAnn) of Tonganoxie, Kan.; daughters, Marilyn (Gary) Collingwood of Greybull, Wyo., and Nancy (Mike) Mazur of St. Joseph, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren with one great-grandchild meeting her in Heaven; sister Yoshiko Irigaki of Japan; brother-in-law Jerry Ferguson of Gladstone, Mo.; many nieces and nephews; and her church family, who loved her dearly.

Services for Sumi were 3 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2013, at Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Road.  There was visitation Sunday, June 9, 2013, at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home Chapel.