Obituary of Elke Christa Ferguson

Elke Christa Johanna Löw Ferguson, 79, of Crestview, Florida, passed peacefully on August 4, 2024, with her family by her side.

Elke was born July 24, 1945, in Erlangen, Germany, to Johann and Viktoria Löw. In 1961, she met a young private in the US Army from Tanner, Alabama, Donald L. Ferguson who was stationed in Germany.  In August 1962, they married while in Germany, and on November 23, 1962, at the age of 17, she traveled alone with their newborn daughter, Sandra, to the United States where Donald awaited their arrival.  Elke could only speak a handful of English words. Though she had never met anyone from Donald’s family before she arrived stateside, she was welcomed by the Ferguson’s in Tanner where she grew to love life on the farm and being surrounded by such a large family that treasured and admired her. Nine months later, Donald and Elke welcomed their son, Timothy Lane.  Elke received her US Citizenship on December 22, 1970.  She was so very proud, as was her family.

Elke was a stay-at-home Mom until her children were old enough to attend school. It was by mere happenstance that she began working in the food service industry in 1972 when Christy, Donald and Elke’s youngest daughter, was in kindergarten. Christy would come home starving each afternoon from kindergarten. Elke, being very concerned, learned that Christy’s lunch ticket wasn’t getting punched because she would not eat. Christy missed her mother. Soon after, the school offered Elke a position in their cafeteria which she gladly accepted so that she could comfort Christy with her presence and everyone else with her love of cooking and taking care of others. She then worked at various lunchroom cafeterias to keep an eye on her children and to allow her to be home when they returned from school.  Later in life, she worked in the cafeteria at hospitals and in retirement facilities. Her love of cooking and taking care of others made her years in the industry fulfilling for her.  She completed her work career as a Bakery Manager for Winn Dixie in Crestview where countless people from the community grew to love her for her dedication to serving and taking care of them.

Elke is survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald L. Ferguson, her two daughters Sandra Thomas and Christy McInnis (Jay), and her son Tim Ferguson (Susie). She adored her six grandchildren Michael Thomas, Adam Thomas, Chase McInnis (Delaney), Tanner Ferguson, Madison McInnis, and Trey Ferguson as well as her five great-grandchildren Michael, Benjamin, Abigail, Dylan, and Josiah.  She is also survived by two sisters, Karin Long of Kentucky, Helga Casteel of Georgia, and one brother Manfred Löw of Germany.  Elke’s family would like to offer a special “thank you” to her caregivers during the last couple of years of her life.  These special ladies and friends are Peggy Schrider, Sonja Brunson, Peggy Antosh, and Pam Miller.  Elke’s best friend Karin Ahls was always by her side when they were out shopping for the day, going out to eat lunch or if the family needed help with Elke.  Elke always referred to Karin as a sister. She is preceded in death by her parents Johann and Viktoria Löw of Germany and sister Trudy Whitten.

Elke loved life, she loved her family, she loved her friends, and she certainly loved a celebration. In honor of her and the amazing woman she was to so many, we welcome you to join us for a celebration of her life on August 24, 2024, at 1:00 at Crosspoint Church in Crestview located at 6268 Old Bethel Road.

In lieu of flowers, we would be honored for you to contribute to Elke’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by clicking the following link: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8477522&fr_id=154020&pg=personal





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