Isabell Regina Ferries, age 91, of Sheridan, WY passed away peacefully Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Sheridan Manor.

 

Isabell was born January 22, 1926, on St. Mary’s Ridge, WI to Leo and Bertha (Herricks) Schroeder.  She grew up on the family farm and attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School.

 

Isabell married Jay Ferries on October 25, 1947 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  They lived outside Wilton, WI where they farmed until purchasing the funeral home and furniture store in Wilton.  In 1965, they moved to Sheridan, WY where they purchased the Stevens Funeral Home with Jay’s brother, John.  Isabell worked at the Blue Jay Chic Inn. They moved to Colorado Springs, CO in 1972.  There they owned and operated the Skelly Truck Stop in Colorado Springs until 1982.  They returned to Sheridan, WY in 1990 to help their son, Mark, operate Ferries Funeral Home.  Isabell volunteered at the VA Hospital, Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the Holy Name Thrift Store.  They retired in 2010.

 

Isabell always commented that her lack of a formal education was a detriment.  However,

her kindness, energy, understanding, and skills were a combination of June Cleaver, Aunt Bee, and Little Women. By her early teens she made 13 loaves of bread every other day on the family farm and could butcher a hog with the assistance of her sister.  She became an excellent seamstress making swim suits, prom dresses, diapers, and outfits on a day’s notice.  Her remodeling skills included painting, staining, and all around handy woman, (when men were not available she found no need to wait). She accomplished everything without requiring a ‘you tube’ video, Google, or a cell phone.  On top of it all, she didn’t leave the house without looking her best. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and Big Horn Mtn. Polka Club.  She was a champion bridge player and also enjoyed bowling, and ball room dancing.

 

Isabell is survived by her husband Jay, sons Mark (Colleen) of Sheridan and Paul (Mary) of Bartlett, TN, daughters Carol (Russ) Perrigo of Custer, SD and Jean (John) Cantu of Colorado Springs, CO, sister Margaret (Linus) Hientz of Sparta, WI, half sisters Thelma Dunnum and Ramona Schroeder of Wisconsin, grandchildren Michele, Clint, Annette, Candy, Charles, Andrew, Nicholas, Jesse, Adam and Karla, eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Isabell was preceded in death by her son Gary, grandsons Matt and Gabriel, five brothers Otto, Harold, Fritz, Norbert “Ole” and James.

 

Viewing will be 4:00pm until 6:00pm on Sunday, August 6th from Champion Ferries Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be recited by Father Robert Rodgers at 10:00am on Monday, August 7th from Holy Name Catholic Church with interment in Sheridan Elks Cemetery.  Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.  Arrangements are with Champion Funeral Home.

 

Memorials may benefit Elks Lodge #520, Box 624, Sheridan, WY 82801.

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries