ANSON, Vivian Merle Parish: Died 1984

ANSON, THERME, PARISH, BARKALOW, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/24/2021 at 10:33:18

**Handwritten: VB Reg

Vivian Merle Parish Anson

Merle Parish Anson was born on cot. 13, 1904 to T.L. and Claelia Therme Parish in Mt. Sterling, Iowa. She attended school in Mt. Sterling through the eighth grade, at which time her parents moved to Keosauqua, where she graduated from high school in 1922.

Merle went to Parsons College, Fairfield, for on year to receive her Normal Teaching Certificate. She taught a country school southeast of Keosauqua for the school year of 1923-1924.

Merle Parish and Charlie Anson were united in marriage in Keosauqua on May 28, 1924. To this union were born four children. Charlie passed away Nov. 17, 1980.

In 1952, Merle attended classes at Centerville Junior College, Centerville, Iowa, and renewed her Normal Teaching Certificate. She then taught a country school southwest of Keosauqua until 1959 when she became a Case Welfare Worker in Van Buren County. Her health required her to retire in 1969. In 1974, her illness forced her into a nursing home.

Merle's interests included gardening, traveling, family, bridge, music, church and many other social functions of the community. Besides being the church pianist for many years in the Keosauqua Christian Church, of which she was a long-time member, she had served as Worthy Matron of Lynds Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.

In addition to her husband, Charlie, she was preceded in death by her father, T.L. Parish and a brother, Charles Parish.

Surviving are her mother, Mrs. Claelia Parish, Keosauqua, two sons, William Charles of Medford, Ore., and Richard Parish of Westminster, Colo., two daughters, Marilyn Merle Barkalow, Webster, Wisc., and Eleanor Joy Smith, Cresswell, Oregon, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Merle passed away April 11, 1894 at the Good Samaritan Home in Keosauqua.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 14, 1984 at 10:30 a.m. in the Keosauqua Christian Church, with Rev. Bob Patterson, pastor, officiating.

Interment was in Fellows Cemetery, Keosauqua. Arrangements were in charge of Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua. A memorial was established.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 186,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA