COWELL, Thelma Bernice (Powell) --- 1908-2001

RIST, POWELL, COWELL, ODEGARD, KLEIN, STOCKTON, FALB

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 4/7/2012 at 19:05:48

Thelma Cowell

Funeral services for Mrs. Thelma Cowell were held Thursday, March 1, 2001, at 11 a.m. in the Community Presbyterian Church at Postville, Iowa. The Rev. Gary Catterson officiated, assisted by the Rev. Steven Campbell. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

Thelma Bernice Cowell, the daughter of Ainsworth and Nettie (Rist) Powell, was born May 16, 1908 in Cresco Township, Kossuth County, near Algona, Iowa. She passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, 2001 in the Good Samaritan Center at Postville, Iowa. She had reached the age of 92 years, nine months, and nine days.

She received her education in the Red School in Allamakee County. Thelma lived most of her life in Allamakee County except for 2 years when she lived in McMinville, Oregon when she was a small child.

On March 1, 1928 Thelma was married to Harley Dewey Cowell at the parsonage of the Rev. R. L. VanNice in Waukon, Iowa. To this union 5 children were born. They farmed for many years, moving to Postville in 1957. Thelma was employed at the Iowa Turkey Plant in Postville for 20 years. She became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Postville in September of 2000.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Ethel Odegard of Cashton, Wisconsin, and Ruby (Arlo) Klein, of Cedar Rapids, 2 sons, James Cowell and friend, Joi Rainbolt, of McGregor, Iowa, and Donald (Patricia) Cowell of Spencer, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandsons, a sister, Lillian (Otis) Stockton, of Anamosa, Iowa, a brother, Harvey Powell, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, a special friend, Marvin Flack, of Postville, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harley, who died October 5, 1984, a son, Dewey, who died in 1977, 3 brothers, William Powell, Louis Powell and Clyde Powell, and a sister, Lessie Falb.

Thelma was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville and the Order of Eastern Star. She loved being with her family and enjoyed making quilts.

Casket bearers were Steve Klein, Kerry Klein, Doyle Cowell, Mike Cowell, Jeff Cowell, Robert Cowell, Robert Odegard, James Odegard, Alert Odegard, Carlton Odegard, Myron Odegard.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.