MIDDLESWART, Phyllis I. (1924-2017)

MIDDLESWART

Posted By: Karon King (email)
Date: 5/31/2017 at 00:26:59

Phyllis Irene Middleswart
(Oct 16, 1924 - Apr 26, 2017)

Services for Phyllis Irene (Loucks) Middleswart, 92, who passed away at Good Samaritan Society in Indianola on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 1 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Indianola.
Phyllis was born October 16, 1924 in Indianola to Roy and Opal (Glasgow) Loucks and graduated from Indianola High School in 1942. She married Luther Middleswart February 28, 1943 and they farmed and raised milking cows on the century family farm south of Indianola. Phyllis loved to garden and feed her family with foods she had grown and raised. She enjoyed canning her harvest each fall.
In retirement, she and Luther wintered in Mesa, Arizona until Luther’s death. In recent years, she returned to the ‘Land of the Sun’ and spent 2 months each winter in Arizona. Phyllis continued to participate in farming decisions until last year.
She was a member of Fairview Community Church where she taught Sunday School and enjoyed spending Sunday visiting with everyone. In recent years, she also enjoyed the annual tractor show at the church. Phyllis was a member of Cool Ladies Aid and long time member of the Indianola Rebekah Lodge where she held many offices including Past Noble Grand and received the Decoration of Chivalry Award.
She enjoyed traveling including cruises to Alaska, New England and Canada. She decided she needed to visit every county seat and courthouse in Iowa. It took 16 days over two summers with her daughters and cousin June to accomplish that feat. Along the way they also visited all Freedom Rocks that were completed at the time.
Phyllis suffered a stroke a year ago. She was able to stay in her home with the help of her family and friends until January when she reluctantly moved to Good Samaritan Society.
Survivors include her children, Margaret (Ben) King of Indianola, Juanita Middleswart of Des Moines, Jerry (Deloris) Middleswart of Indianola, and Roy (Denise Hunt) Middleswart of Ankeny; grandchildren, Melissa (Kirk) Showers of Indianola, Eva King of Indianola, Jarod King of Coralville, Jim Middleswart of Des Moines and Mike (Tina) Middleswart of Hartford; great-grandchildren, Renee (Ben) Walton, Mikayla and Katelynn Showers, Trinity and Olivia King, Elizabeth, Eric and Evan Middleswart; and 1 great-great-grandchild Samantha Walton. Also surviving is a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Others who call her ‘Grandma’ include Adam Thompson and Amanda Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Donna Waters and brother-in-law, Ralph Waters; daughter-in-law, Denise Middleswart; and all of her husband’s brothers, sister and their spouses. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, [http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]