Carley Austin Ferguson, 94, of Rochester, Minnesota passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family, Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Daughter of the late Burley and Clariece Austin she was born on January 30,1931 in Allentown Pennsylvania.

Carley grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan where she met the love of her life in high school, Jim Ferguson. They were married 60 years when Jim passed in November 2011.

Carley and Jim raised their three children on Lake Minnetonka. After retirement they moved to a farm outside of Red Wing, Minnesota. And shortly after Jim passed, she moved to The Waters on Mayowood in Rochester, Minnesota.

She enjoyed antiquing and “bumming around” with Jim. You could often see them at a farm auction buying all kinds of “treasures.” When it came to entertaining, she was the hostess with the mostest. She loved cooking, canning, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She was the head chef during deer camp and when we came down from our deer stands for lunch or at the end of the day, there was always a delicious hot meal waiting for us.

Carley had an eye for interior decorating, and it showed in every place she lived. She even made her little apartment look like something out of a magazine. She loved projects - - especially if it meant building, renovating or adding on to a home. She wasn’t happy if she didn’t have a “project” to look forward to.

Her family is blessed that she and Jim had such wonderful neighbors at the farm. They adopted the Peterson family as their own kids and grandkids, and in turn, Petersons helped and watched over them while they lived in Red Wing.

The family is so grateful for the nine years of loving care that Carley received while living at The Waters. Especially the staff in The Marsh who loved on her and her family right up to the end. She also had many friends throughout the community including many staff members - - culinary, housekeeping, maintenance, activity and concierge. She will be missed by many.

The care she received from the Mayo Clinic Hospice staff was phenomenal! They took such good care of Carley and provided peace and comfort to her and her family in her final days.

Preceded in death by her husband, James Edgar Ferguson, her son, James Kenneth Ferguson and her granddaughter, Margaret Mary (Maggie) Butler.

Survived by her son John (Sandra), daughter Mary Butler (Loren Mickelsen), grandson Michael (Jesse), great grandchildren Piper and Phoebe. Dear friends, Rick and Pam Peterson and their children, Dani and Jacob.

Carley prefers memorial contributions to:

Channel One Regional Food Bank

131 35th Street SE

Rochester, Minnesota 55904

There will be a Celebration of Carley’s life on February 7th at 1:30 pm at:

Christ Episcopal Church

321 West Avenue, Red Wing, MN 55066