MECHEM, Mamie: Died 1983

MECHEM, OVERTURFF, CRAIG, STRAIT, JOHNSTON, BEATTY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/12/2021 at 19:31:26

**Handwritten: 28 Apr '83 VB Register
pg 10 col 1

Mamie Mechem

Mamie Mechem was born to Lewis Casner and Effie May Lewis Overturff Mechem on February 15, 1886 in Graham County, Kansas, and died April 18, 1983, at the age of 97 in the Good Samaritan Center in Keosauqua where she had made her home since 1978.

She is survived by three nieces, Shirley Craig of Milton and Eleanor Strait and Winona Johnston, both of Keosauqua, and a nephew, Harlynn Beatty of St. Louis, Mo. Two brothers, Allen and Wille and two sisters, Nellie Beatty and Alma Mechem preceded her in death.

She was a member of the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church, the Van Buren County Farm Bureau and the Republican Women.

She graduated from high school in Houston, Texas, attended Normal at Emporia, Kansas, and received a primary certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Her life was spent in teaching children and she taught in Mankato, Kan., Packwood, rural Stockport, Douds, Pittsburg, and 11 years in the Keosauqua schools from 1927-1938.

She was very dear to her nieces and nephew, who considered her almost like a second mother. After she retired from teaching, she spent many hours in volunteer work for the community and her quips and cheerful attitude were appreciated by those with whom she came in contact.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 20, 1983, at 3 p.m. at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, with Rev. Louise Knupp officiating. Interment was in Forbes Cemetery near Mount Zion. A memorial was established for the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 122,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA