Jean Arnett Ferguson, age 90 of Ava, Missouri, died on January 8, 2014.

Private family services will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Online condolences may be sent for Jean's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Jean was born on the family farm in Haskins, Iowa on November, 22, 1923 to Arnett and Julia Mathers. She received an undergraduate degree in English at the University of Iowa and her master's degree in journalism at Iowa State University. She married Marion Ferguson, whom she had dated during her time in high school, and dedicated her life to the marriage. They were happily together until his death in 2003.

She worked as a secretary, a substitute teacher, a tutor, and as a seasonal park ranger at Tetons National Park, all of which she was very proud. Jean's passions were painting and drawing. She also had a love for knitting and sewing which she passed on to her daughter, Elizabeth Pappas. Her greatest love in life was learning. Her love for education was paramount in the lives of her and her children.

As her husband often said to Jean during their hikes in the Tetons, "The resting place is just around the bend," and now they have both reached their place of rest. May they be together forever after the final "bend" in life.

She is survived by her son James Prescott Ferguson; and her daughter Elizabeth Sharon Pappas; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.