Constance M. “Connie” Ferwerda, age 83 of Kenosha, died on Friday, August 12, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at Wheaton Franciscan - All Saints Hospital Campus in Racine, WI, after enjoying a long, productive life.  She leaves behind many who benefited from her dedicated social work.

She was the only child born to the late Frank and Katherine Matson in Minneapolis, MN.

Her aunt, Connie developed the Neighborhood Settlement House for women and her uncle, Edward developed Pillsbury Settlement for men.  As the only child among five social workers, she learned that helping others makes a very fulfilling, useful and justifiable life.

Connie attended Grinnel College and the University of Minnesota.  She received her Master’s Degree in elementary education and began teaching elementary school in Milwaukee.

In 1961, she was united in marriage to Dr. James Ferwerda.  In 1963, they relocated to Kenosha and their union was blessed with three children.

After her children began school, Connie became very enthusiastic social activist and founded the Kenosha County Homemakers Health Aid Service.  They later became the Kenosha County Family & Aging Service.  Connie was the initial registered agent of the board of directors and was its president for the first five years of its existence.

Connie was a primary force behind the creation of Hospice Alliance, Inc.  It was her idea that the organization be a free standing nonprofit organization.

In 1974, she was chosen as the “Woman of the Year” by the Lincoln Neighborhood Center at its last annual meeting before its merger with the Kenosha Boys and Girls Club.

She was the founder of eight nonprofit organizations and programs that include Kenosha Youth Development, Kenosha Home Care, Mobile Meals and others.  She was a founding member of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Benevolent Foundation.

In 1997, she was presented with an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.  A citation from the Wisconsin State Legislature asserted she exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of philanthropy by recognizing the need and creating the opportunity to create new services and nonprofits.

In 2016, she was the recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Lifetime Achievement award.  Connie was a very religious person, loving wife and mother.

She leaves behind her husband, Dr. James Ferwerda; her three children, Ellen (Barbara Farrar), Peter and Katherine Ferwerda; her grandsons, Adam and Paul Ferwerda and Colt Ferwerda-Reichman; and many loving cousins.  Connie will be sadly missed but remembered as a kind, considerate lady who dedicated her life to helping others.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Connie will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 4817 7th Avenue. Relatives and friends are asked to meet at the church for the Mass. Private inurnment will take place in Green Ridge Cemetery.