Coffeen, Everetta (Reardon) -- 1922 - 1999

NELSON, REARDON, COFFEEN

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 7/29/2010 at 18:09:30

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, August 10, 1999

Everetta 'Red' Coffeen

Everetta "Red" Coffeen, 77, of Decorah, died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999, at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m., at the Fjelstul Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Dale, officiating.

The Rev. Kristen Kvamme was the organist. Soloist Cheryl Wanko sang "Turn, Turn, Turn." The congregation sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art."

Casket bearers were Roger Huinker, John Matter, Steve Matter, Marshall Pierce, Dave Taylor and Roger Wheatman.

Burial was at Phelps Cemetery. The Fjelstul Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Everetta E. "Red" Coffeen was born March 31, 1922, in Caledonia, Minn., the daughter of Everett E. and Eva (Nelson) Reardon.

She moved to Decorah in 1932, where her father owned Reardon's Produce and Locker Plant. She attended Decorah Community Schools and graduated from Decorah High School in 1940.

Following high school graduation, she attended Downer College in Milwaukee, Wis.

It was in Milwaukee that Everetta met her husband, Charles "Chuck" Coffeen. Red and Chuck were united in marriage Feb. 1, 1943, in a private ceremony at the home of the bride's parents.

She then lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., where her husband was working until he entered military service in June of 1943. She later joined him in Alexandria, La., and subsequently in San Antonio, Texas.

After returning to Decorah, Everetta worked as a bookkeeper for the A.R. Coffeen Co. and later for Holland Brothers Construction Co. from 1964-68.

She was the deputy county treasurer for Winneshiek County for several years and was a member of the Mental Health Association of Winneshiek County, serving as president of the association from 1984-86.

Everetta attended the First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School. Along with her husband, she was a member of the Oneota Golf & Country Club and the Elks. She enjoyed golf and playing cards, especially with her friends in the bridge club.

Everetta was an avid reader and liked to plant and raise flowers, and enjoyed her dogs. She and her husband traveled extensively until her health prevented her from traveling in the last few years.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Coffeen; two sons, Paul Coffeen of Decorah, and Michael and Karen Coffeen of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and three grandsons, Aaron Coffeen of Mason City, and Fraser and Charles Coffeen of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Everetta Coffeen was preceded in death by her parents, Everetta and Eva Reardon, and her aunt, Mary (Reardon) Walter.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.