Miriam E. Colvin 1923-2007

KIMBALL, GOODENOW, STUMME, COLVIN, HOEFLING

Posted By: N Wagner (email)
Date: 12/21/2007 at 18:29:21

Miriam E. Colvin, 84, of Madrid, formerly of the West Union and Hawkeye area, died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, at the Madrid Home in Madrid, Ia.

Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 15, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Battle Creek. A memorial service will be held at the Madrid Home Chapel at a later date.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the West Union United Methodist Church.

Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home, Battle Creek, was in charge of arrangements.

Born Sept. 15, 1923, in Battle Creek, Miriam Elizabeth (Kimball) Colvin was the daughter of Lathy and Harriet (Goodenow) Kimball.

She attended rural schools Maple No. 5 and Grant No. 3, graduating from Battle Creek High School as valedictorian of her class.

Miriam attended Iowa State College and then taught school at Grant No. 3 rural school during World War II, when teachers were scarce. She graduated with her class by attending summer school.

On Aug. 3, 1946, Miriam married Charles D. Colvin. The couple made their home on a dairy farm in Eldon, Mo.

In 1949, the Colvins moved to Preston; in 1952, they moved to Arthur, where they farmed until 1956. At this time Miriam began teaching in Dow City. They then moved to Primghar; Miriam taught in Archer for four years and in Sanborn for two years. In 1963, the Colvins moved to the West Union-Hawkeye area.

Miriam taught home economics at Fayette High School from 1963-1984. She also taught science, English, psychology, environmental concerns and was the yearbook advisor. In 1985, the North Fayette and Fayette school districts restructured into North Fayette Community School, where Miriam taught junior high science and English for one year before retiring.

In retirement, Miriam served as a substitute teacher, judged for 4-H, and volunteered at the Fayette County Historical Center.

Miriam moved from the area in 2000; she moved from Ballard Creek Assisted Living to the Madrid Home in 2002.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; and a son, Steven Colvin.

Surviving are two children, Thomas (Sonya) Colvin of rural Cambridge and Patricia (Terry) Stumme of rural Albert Lea, Minn.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Colvin of rural Hawkeye; and a sister, Phyllis Hoefling of Odebolt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Madrid Home, the 4-H Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Fayette County Historical Center in West Union.

Fayette County Union, December 18, 2007