CARROLL EDGAR "ED" FERRELL was born March 29, 1929, in Campbell, Missouri, to Helen (nee Holt) and Harry R. Ferrell. Ed's earliest years were happily spent on his grandparent's farm. His mother later married Oscar Little and the family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Ed disliked city life, taking refuge in reading frontier adventures. In 1940, the family settled in Phoenix, Ariz. where Ed thrived; hunting and prospecting in the desert became his favorite pastimes.

After high school, in 1947, Ed embarked on an Alaskan adventure; he and his best friend drove a '33 Ford sedan to Seattle, sold it and booked tickets up the Inside Passage on the steamship Baranof. After a summer of hunting, bottle digging and exploring long abandoned encampments, Ed returned to Arizona. But Alaska's call lured him back to Juneau. In 1954, en route to a poker game, he met Nancy Warren. The two married the next year, becoming parents to twins, Patricia and William in 1966. Ed and Nancy loved Juneau, and with the exception of a couple of years in Utah, to complete Ed's education, made it their home.

Earning degrees in journalism and English at BYU, Ed discovered his life's work: teaching. Hired in 1962, he taught English at Juneau-Douglas High School where he also supervised production of the school newspaper and yearbook for many years. In 1986, Ed set-off on his final adventure: retirement.

In addition to running the genealogical library at the local LDS church, Ed began writing, ultimately publishing six books - most about early life in the North-country. He also honed his skills as a woodworker and enjoyed sharing his knowledge in woodshop classes at University of Alaska Southeast. Ed and Nancy traveled frequently: exploring far-away ports, taking classes and visiting family.

Ed Ferrell died May 5, 2010, in Cornville, Arizona, at the home of his brother, Wayne Little. He was 81. From the Juneau Empire; Friday, June 11, 2010.

NANCY WARREN FERRELL was born Aug. 23, 1932, in Appleton, Wis., to Carolyn (Schael) Burg and Harry Warren. After graduating from high school in Wauwatosa, Wis., she went on to receive a bachelor's degree in psychology from Lawrence College.

Upon her graduation, her mother, Carolyn, who had recently moved to Juneau, sent her an airline ticket to Alaska. Nancy moved to Juneau in the summer of 1954 and found her lifelong home. Soon thereafter, she met C. Edgar Ferrell, and the two were married on March 3, 1955. Nancy and Ed became parents to twins, Patricia and William, in 1966.

Nancy’s greatest satisfaction came from writing. She published nine nonfiction books for young readers and four nonfiction books for adults. Her last book, White Water Skippers of the North, was published shortly before she died.

In addition, she had published numerous articles and stories in a variety of magazines and periodicals. She received many local, state and national honors for both her writing and her efforts to foster literacy. She also was extensively involved in reviewing books and acted as an editor for several publications.

Professionally, Nancy practiced psychology in Juneau and then in Provo, Utah, while Ed obtained his college degree. She taught children at the BIA hospital in Mount Edgecumbe, volunteered at the Capital School Library and worked at the Juneau public library. She also volunteered for many years putting together the newsletter for the Friends of Juneau Libraries.

She loved fishing, Alaska and exploring the world. She traveled every chance she could, journeying to Europe five times (including to Russia and Turkey), twice to Australia and New Zealand and most recently to the Galapagos Islands.

Nancy Warren Ferrell died April 10, 2009, at her home in Juneau. She was 76. From the Juneau Empire; Wednesday, April 15, 2009.