Powell, Floyd (1912-2007)

POWELL, NEVADA, FRENIER, HURT, SEEL, BOSTON

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/12/2008 at 21:00:51

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 17, 2007

Floyd Powell, 95 of Le Mars, died Saturday, Sept 15, 2007, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Floyd Powell was born Feb. 22, 1912, in Turin, Iowa, the son of James Madison and Jessie Nevada Powell. His father worked for the railroad; the family moved from Turin to Sioux City, River Sioux, Brunsville, Merrill, Cherokee, and Marcus as well as several other northwest Iowa towns. Upon graduation from Meriden High School, Floyd worked for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Floyd and Bernice Ames met at a dance in Marcus in 1937 and were married Oct. 16, 1937. Settling in Merrill, Floyd continued to work as a depot agent for the Illinois Central Railroad and learned telegraphy. Floyd and Bernice enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing, and round dancing throughout their married life. He published the Merrill Reminder, was Secretary of the Merrill School Board, and when he could break away, he loved fishing with son Jim. Floyd enjoyed playing the harmonica, guitar and piano.

In 1959 Floyd and Bernice purchased the Le Mars Stationery Store where Bernice skillfully handled the customers and Floyd handled the sale and maintenance of typewriters and calculators. He continued to service and repair typewriters after the business was sold. Floyd retired from the Illinois Central Railroad in 1975. At that time his interests turned to golf. One of his lasting pleasures was reminiscing his Hole-in-One in August 1978. Floyd loved baseball and attending Railroad Retirement gatherings. Floyd loved his family and faithfully followed his grandchildren's scholastic, musical and athletic events.

He made many wonderful friends at Park Place where he never missed a Bingo game.

Survivors include his four children: Barbara of Denver, Colo., Dorothy of Rockford, Ill., Patricia Ames (Robert H. Frenier) of Chicago, Ill., and Dr. James Powell (Christina) of Le Mars; four grandchildren: Julie (Dale) Hurt of Le Mars; Adam (Wendy) Powell of Las Vegas, Nev., Alyson Powell of Denver, Colo., and Michael Powell of Iowa City; two great-grandchildren, Madeline and Danielle Hurt; and many nieces and nephews.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bernice (May 2003); brother Ed Powell; sisters Grace Seel and Blanche Boston, and daughter-in-law Barbara Powell.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church of Le Mars, 901 Third Ave. S.E., with Pastor Jason Larson officiating. Private burial will be in Marcus-Amherst Cemetery in Marcus. Visitation at Carlsen Funeral Home will be after 3 p.m. today (Monday). Family will be in attendance after 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be made to Plymouth County Historical Museum (Floyd's railroad section), United Methodist Church of Le Mars, or Willow Creek Golf Course, Le Mars.