Truesdell, Elvina (Mrs. Rexford) 1908-2004

TRUESDELL, HARKER, ERICSON

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2013 at 10:24:05

Northwest Iowa Review February 28, 2004

Born: 1-18-1908
Died: 2-22-2004

Elvina Truesdell, 96, Hawarden, died Sunday, Feb. 22 at Hawarden Hospital.

Services were Thursday, Deb. 26, at Associated Church in Hawarden, with the Rev. Randy Knuth officiating. Burial was at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden, under the direction of Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden.

Elvina Truesdell, daughter of Stewart and Louise (Ericson) Harker, was born Jan. 18, 1908, in Denver, CO. She attended school in the Hawarden School system and was the editor of the school newspaper during her high school days. After school she worked for her father at Harker-Burket Drug Store. After her father's death in 1936, she and her brother William, operated the drug store until it was sold in 1950 to McWilliams Drug Co. She married Rexford Truesdell on Sept. 30, 1934, at Union Creek Lutheran Church north of Akron. They moved in 1938 into their new home at 920 Ave. K. where they remained during their 62 years of married life. A daughter Mary Louise, was born July 27, 1939, at Hawarden Hospital. They owned and operated Truesdell Motors, a Ford dealership in Hawarden, from 1950 until her son-in-law and daughter Jules and Mary Johnson, took over responsibility for the business in 1975. Beginning in the mid-1970's she and her husband spent several weeks each year in their home at Lake Striker in northeast Texas, where they enjoyed the warmer weather and lack of snow. She was recognized as the oldest living confirmand during the 125th anniversary at Union Creek Lutheran Church in September 1999. She was a member of Associated Church in Hawarden. She also was a member of the Hawarden Saddle Club. Her hobbies centered around her family, specifically her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Playing cards and board games with the grandchildren after school was a daily event and one she never tired of.

Survivors include a daughter, Mary and Jules Johnson of Hawarden; three granddaughters; six great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lois Harker of Hawarden.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex Truesdell; and a brother, William Harker.