WAUNAKEE - Samuel Butman “Sam” Ferguson, 95, of Waunakee, died on December 13, 2025, at Waunakee Valley Senior Center after a long and rich life.

Sam was born on December 5, 1930, in St. Paul, Minn., the son of Samuel and Marguerite Ferguson of South St. Paul. Sam graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1949. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Sam married Jeanette Cartier Lee in 1951 at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Paul. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology and horticulture. Sam worked as an entomologist and horticulturist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 1962 until retiring in 1988. He was also a charter member of the Wisconsin Landscape Federation Hall of Fame.

In 1981, Sam and Jeanette started Ferguson's Orchard in the Town of Vermont between Black Earth and Mount Horeb. They loved the rolling farmland of western Dane County and raised several apple varieties that were pollinated through Sam's beekeeping efforts. Sam and Jeanette sold their apples and honey out of their garage on Forshaug Road and at several area farmers markets. In 1999, they decided to retire again by selling their orchard and moving to Middleton.

Sam served on the Dane County Board of Supervisors from 1966 to 1972 and on the Town of Vermont Board of Supervisors from 1992 to 1993. He also volunteered with local food pantries to help procure fresh produce.

For most of his adult life, Sam was very devoted to Freemasonry, Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He began his Masonic journey in 1952 at Mizpah Lodge No. 191 in South St. Paul, where his brother, father, and grandfather also belonged. Sam later served three terms as Worshipful Master of Four Lakes Daylight Lodge No. 362 in Madison and was active at Middleton-Ionic Lodge No. 180. Sam continued his Masonic journey in 1970 by joining the Scottish Rite - Valley of Madison. He enjoyed performing as a cast member in the Rite's many degrees and serving in various leadership roles, including as Commander-in-Chief. Over the years, Sam shared his love of Freemasonry by mentoring new members and supporting DeMolay and other Masonic youth organizations. In 2000, Sam was elected to receive the honorary 33rd Degree of Freemasonry for his service and leadership.

Sam was proud of his Scottish heritage and explored genealogy to help trace his ancestors back to Scotland. He served as presidents of the St. Andrew's Society of Madison and the Clan Fergusson Society of North America. Sam also joined the Zor Shrine Pipes and Drums to learn the bagpipes. For several years, he enjoyed playing with the band at parades and Shrine events to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Sam is survived by his wife of 73 years, Jeanette; their children, Joan (Michael Bersin) of Warrensburg, Mo., and Mark (Donna) of Centennial, Colo.; grandsons, Peter (Briana Murphy) of Pensacola, Fla., and Bobby of Denver; niece, Lisa (widow of nephew, Richard) of Indianapolis, Ind., niece, Jane (Rich) Mooradian of Petoskey, Mich., nephew, David (Kirsten) of Plymouth, Minn.; and five grandnieces and six grandnephews. Sam was preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth “Liz”; brother, Lewis; sister-in-law, Margaret; nephew, Richard; and his parents.

An Episcopal and Masonic memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, followed by a luncheon. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Sam's family would like to thank Waunakee Valley Senior Living, UW Health, Bristol Hospice Madison, St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, and Middleton-Ionic Masonic Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection, Madison Children's Dyslexia Center, or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

- William Butler Yeats, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”

Samuel B Ferguson

December 05, 1930 - December 13, 2025

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