Meacham, Lois M. 1922-2011

MEACHAM, ASHMAN, JACKSON, EHRISMAN, DEIKE, LOWREY, CLIFTON, WOOD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/10/2012 at 11:03:38

The Poweshiek County Chronicle-Republican; Feb. 9, 2011

LOIS M. MEACHAM

Lois M. Meacham, age 85, of Grinnell, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

As per her wishes, her body was deeded to the University of Iowa Medical School for research. No services are scheduled at this time.

Memorials may be designated to the Drake Community Library, 930 Park Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.smithfh.com. Smith Funeral Home of Grinnell is handling the arrangements.

Lois was born in Grinnell on April 8, 1922. She was one of the first babies born at the former Grinnell Community Hospital. She graduated Grinnell High School in 1939 and Grinnell College in 1943.

After working in Washington, D.C., for Eastern Airlines during World War II, Lois married Hugh Alfred (Al) Meacham, Jr. on March 11, 1945. Following their marriage, they made their home in Grinnell for Al to farm his parents' farm. Lois initially stayed home full time to rear their children and to help farm with Al. She worked for Grinnell College for 25 years from 1960 until her retirement in 1987; first at the Service Bureau, then as Administrative Assistant to College Presidents Glenn Leggett, A. Richard Turner, and the Dean (Catherine Frazer).

Lois had many hobbies and interests during her retirement years. She was a board member and the coordinator of the Grinnell Historical Museum (1987-2002), with much help from Mrs. Betty Ernest, the museum's volunteer curator. Lois continued to manage her family's farming corporation, and she was the caregiver to her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Wood. Lois was also an active member of the Grinnell Literary and Historical Society, and volunteered at the Grinnell Art Gallery. She designed and created the Poweshiek County patch for the Iowa Sesquicentennial Quilt, which was on display in the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines in 1996. She and Betty Ernst designed the Poweshiek County Sesquicentennial Quilt that now hangs in the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa. For several years, she was the coordinator for the Friends of Stewart Library annual book sale, president of the board for the Frineds of Stewart Library, and director of the Friends of Stewart Library's book discussion series.

She was devoted to her family and many friends, was an avid reader, a book collector, crossword puzzler, and cat and dog lover. She studied her family's genealogy, and traveled to Scotland many times to continue her research. She enjoyed hiking in Iowa parks, the Scottish Highlands, and in the Colorado Rockies. She enjoyed wildflowers and gardening. She was a supporter of the Stewart Library, the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo's Siberian Tiger exhibit, Grinnell College, Iowa Public Radio, Habitat for Humanity, and Grinnell Hospice.

Due to her illness, she moved into assisted living at Windsor Manor, with her cat (Star), in March 2006, and then to St. Francis Manor in September 2007.

Survivors include her three children and their families: Michael A. (Mike) Meacham of Des Moines; Casey E. Meacham and his wife, Leigh Ann, (Ashman) Meacham of Grinnell; and Connie A. Meacham and her husband, Jeffrey A. (Jeff) Jackson, of Apex, N.C. Her three grandchildren are Chad A. Meacham and his wife, Holly, (Ehrisman) Meacham of North Liberty; Hilary A. (Meacham) Deike and her husband, Chad J. Deike, of Ames; and Meredith D. Jackson of Raleigh, N.C. Her three great-grandchildren are: Spencer C. Meacham of North Liberty; and Kwin R. Deike and Chase H. Deike of Ames.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Al; her parents, George and Minnie Lowrey Clifton; and her sister, Betty Wood.