Laura Lynn Ferguson , 51, of Columbia City died peacefully in the company of family at 6:56 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2025, at her son's home in Fort Wayne.

Born on October 26, 1973, in West Memphis, Arkansas, she was a daughter of James South and Edith Lancaster (Simmons).  In 1977 Laura moved to Whitley County with Edith and Martin Simmons, where she grew up in Washington Twp., and graduated from Columbia City High School in 1992.

After raising a family, Laura went to work for Miller's Health System in 2003, where she worked in the kitchen, as an aide, and in the activities department until this year.  On October 4, 2013, she married Thomas A. Ferguson.  They have always made their home in Columbia City.

Laura loved to fish, camp, and visit the beaches in Alabama and Miami, Florida.  She enjoyed keeping current on social media and shopping.  An avid reader, she liked romance and adventure novels, especially by Nora Roberts. She adored her grandkids, who became her focus and joy.

Surviving is her husband Tom of Columbia City; two sons, Drake (Nichole Feil) Lancaster-Scheumann of Fort Wayne and Conner (Kalista Dobbins) Riemersma of Warsaw and a daughter, Megan Riemersma of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren; her parents, James (Brenda) South and Edith Simmons of Columbia City; and siblings, Jason (Holly) Simmons of Franklin, TN, Nikki (KJ) Parke of Columbia City, Chantry (Makayla) Simmons of Columbia City, Joanie (David) Wells of Tennessee and Sky South of Arkansas.

Visitation is 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (April 25th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday (April 26th) at the funeral home.  Burial is at the Nolt Cemetery.

Memorials in Laura's honor are to final expenses c/o Smith & Sons Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com