Fergus N. Prestbye passed away on September 2, 2025, he was 79. He was born in July 1946 in Polson, MT to Rev. Norman and Catherine Prestbye.

The Prestbye family resided in Culbertson, MT until moving to WA when Fergus was in grade school. Fergus graduated from Clarkston High School, spending his summers in western Montana at the family cabin on Flathead Lake. He formed the bluegrass bands, Blue Mountain Minstrels and Fergie & Friends, and led the weekly hootenannies at Glacier National Park.

He went on to attend college at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, WA where he met his first wife Roni (Rasmussen) before entering service in the Navy as a radioman. Expecting the arrival of his first of two beautiful daughters, he was honorably discharged.

Fergus' formative career in radio was in southern Oregon where he owned and managed a leading radio station. Transferring his on-air skills to the business of auctioneering, he expanded on his core values of honesty, fairness, independence, and entertaining a crowd!

Fergus was proud of his Norwegian heritage and was a member of the Sons of Norway, serving as Secretary of the 2nd District and President of Bothell Lodge where he was living. It was there that he met his faithful friend, dancing and singing partner, and lovely new bride, Jane Eleanor (Monson).

Fergus' deep faith and expressive love for his family was felt in his daily presence and bold actions. His family will always remember and celebrate his stories and his blissful love of music. They will continue the tradition of summers in Montana.

Fergus leaves behind his wife Jane of 44 years, daughters Dayna (Bob) Steringer and Amanda Brynn, two grandsons, Erik (Mary) and Kyle, and two great grandchildren, sister Arletta, niece Brita (Nick) and her two children, and Kenneth (Cecilia) Rafaelsen, an exchange student who became family (his Norwegian son).

Please join us in celebrating his life on November 14, at 11:00 am at Kent Lutheran Church, in Kent, WA, with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations: Kent Grand Organ, Rotary International, or Lutherwood (Bellingham). There will be a burial service on February 28, at 1:00 pm at Peace Lutheran Church (Silvana).