William Peter Ferring

William "Bill" P. Ferring, 81, of Waukon, IA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Thursday evening, September 17, 2020, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, private family services will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Please join the family on the live stream Martin-Grau Funeral Home facebook page on Monday, September 21st, at 11:00 AM. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic School, Veterans Memorial Hospital or Winneshiek Hospice. Condolences can be sent to Karen Ferring 1010 2nd St. SW, Waukon, IA 52172.

William Peter Ferring was born January 17, 1939, in Union Prairie Township in rural Waukon, IA, the son of Leo and Florence (Haas) Ferring, he was the youngest of six children. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, and attended Emmett country school in rural Waukon through the eighth grade. Bill then started his life long career as a farmer. On January 6, 1962, he married Karen Hanson at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Together, they worked side by side farming and raising their family for the next 58 years.

Bill was a life time member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He enjoyed gator rides with his wife, children, and grandchildren checking out the crops and going down to the pond. Bill also enjoyed driving around in his pickup to visit with the neighbors, friends, and looking for wildlife. He spent many hours' playing cards at the City Club in Waukon with his buddies.

Survivors include wife Karen of 58 years of Waukon; his children: Barbara (Mark) Howe of Waukon, Cynthia Ferring of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Linda) Ferring Waukon, Lorie (Tracy) Evans of  Parnell, James (special friend Delilah) Ferring of Atkins, IA, and Christine (special friend Mark)  Ferring of Hiawatha; 10 grandchildren: Justin (Ami) Howe, Matt Howe, Emily (Jesse) Spors, Jennifer (Chad) Bennett, Caleb (Danielle) Ferring, Colin Ferring, Callie Ferring, Amber (Daniel) Cross, Brandon and Jackson Ferring; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister Virginia Moore of New Albin; a brother-in-law Robert (Gloria) Hanson of Waukon; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother Msgr. Robert L. Ferring; three sisters: Rita Mae (Lawrence) Ward, Jeanne (Jack) Bresnahan, and Cecilia (Dale) Bublitz; and a brother-in-law James Moore.

Casketbearers are Bill's grandsons and a nephew Dave Bublitz.