Lela Josephine "Jo" (Hermon) Macumber Ward Hicks (2010)
BOHNER, DIXON, HERMON, HICKS, LYNDE, MACUMBER, WARD
Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:22
The Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Page 17, Column 1LEILA JOSEPHINE “JO” HICKS
Des Moines - Leila Josephine "Jo" Hicks, daughter of Albert and Grace Hermon, was born on February 8, 1919. She grew up with four siblings on a farm near Earlham, Iowa. She married and had two sons, Allen and Keith Macumber. After her husband, Clarence Macumber, died suddenly, Jo attended Iowa Beauty School in Des Moines, Iowa and became a beautician so she could support her young family.
Four years later she married Ora F. Ward, moved to Dallas Center, Iowa and became the step-mom and friend to Ora's nine children and their families. Jo and Ora had two children, Sharon and Stephen. Ora passed away and Jo was once again a widow with small children. She supported her family operating Jo's Beauty Salon in Dallas Center. Jo had many fond memories of Dallas Center and always called it “home”.
Jo married Dwight Hicks in 1962. They lived in Minneapolis with Jo's children Sharon and Stephen and Dwight's son, David. During her time in Minneapolis, she worked various jobs and thoroughly enjoyed her neighbors and friends. In her retirement years, they lived in Tucson, Arizona. She loved traveling, volunteering at elementary schools, sewing clothes and donating them to children in need.
Following Dwight's passing, she enjoyed the companionship of Tom Russell and spent the remainder of her life with him. Over the next 13 years, they traveled extensively and enjoyed life abundantly. They toured 49 states, 10 Canadian provinces, Europe, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. They made their permanent home in Waynesville, North Carolina and enjoyed spending time with Tom's two daughters and their families. During her 91 years, she loved sewing for her greatgrandchildren, crocheting and gifting her creations.
She treasured times spent with her family and her many friends from all over the country. Jo's fun-loving spirit and zest for life will live on by all who knew and loved her. Jo passed away peacefully on July 16, 2010 in Waynesville, NC. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on August 7, 2010 at Connxions in Urbandale. At a later date, a private burial will be at the Brethren Cemetery in Dallas Center, IA.
She is preceded in death by her husbands Clarence Macumber, Ora F. Ward, and Dwight Hicks; sons Allen and Keith Macumber, and grandson Nathan Macumber. She is survived by daughter Sharon (John) Dixon of Urbandale, IA, son Stephen (Joanie) Ward of Mound, MN, son David Hicks of Prior Lake, MN and daughter-in-law Becky Macumber, step-daughters Jane Bohner of Perry, IA and Betty Lynde of Junction City, OR, long-time companion Tom Russell of Waynesville, NC, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
________________________Transcriber's note: Her gravestone and many vital records have "Lela" as her first name.
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