Dorothea M. Ferguson, 94, of Augusta, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, July 14, 2022 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Linda Lou Kelly became Dorothea Marie Palmer at the age of six days old when she was adopted by Frank and Rose Palmer in 1928 in Denver, Colorado. Dorothea was raised in the very small town of Niwot, Colorado, through the ninth grade. Moving to Denver, Dorothea graduated from West High School and attended Denver University for one year on a scholarship. Believing she needed to go to work, Dorothea worked in an office for a broom corn company that made brooms from corn. On a blind date, Dorothea met her husband-to-be on July 4, 1949.

Ben Ferguson and Dorothea Palmer were married on April 9, 1950, at the United Brethren Church in Wichita, Kansas. The couple lived in Burden, Kansas, for 17 years with Dorothea doing jobs such as working in the office for the schools, working as the City Clerk , keeping books for a small company, and raising her son, Jerry Ferguson who was born in 1953 and daughter Kay Ferguson who was born in 1959. Dorothea commuted to Winfield and performed the duties of Deputy Clerk of the District Court for several years. In 1967, the family moved to Oklahoma, and in May 1975, the Fergusons' moved to Chanute, Kansas. In 1985 they moved to Augusta, and Dorothea hung up her work hat. She became very involved in her church, Augusta United Methodist, as well as, PEO, United Methodist Women, Outlook Club, and Brown Baggers. She was an avid member of a line dance group at the Senior Center for most of her time in Augusta. Ben preceded her in death on January 14, 2016.

Her family includes her son Jerry Ferguson and wife, Jennifer of Weatherford, TX; a grandson Shawn Ferguson and wife, Emily of Aledo, TX; her great-grandchildren Claire, Chole, and Case Ferguson of Aledo, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothea was preceded in death by a daughter Kay Ann Ferguson Caines.

Graveside funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Burden Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled on Monday from 4 to 8 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 that evening.

A memorial has been established in Dorothea's name for Augusta United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.