Moore, Ilene Anna (Meyer) 1921 - 2015

MOORE, MEYER, BRUNS, PORTER, FREED, ASCHIM, EVANS, PONTOSKI, MORRISSEY, TRELLES, MCKENDREE, YOGENDRAN, PARKMAN, HOFFMAN, BAILEY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/31/2015 at 10:48:50

Ilene Moore, 94, died Saturday evening, December 26, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA. Continuing her commitment to learning, Ilene donated her body for educational and research purposes to the Deeded Body Program at the University of Iowa, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Ilene’s wish was to donate her body to the University of Iowa, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Deeded Body Program, for educational and research purposes.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Ron Fretheim officiating.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, one hour before the service, at First Lutheran Church.

Ilene Anna (Meyer) Moore was born to Ernest and Ida (Bruns) Meyer on October 21, 1921, at home on the family farm near Latimer, Iowa, in Richland Township, Franklin County.

Growing up on a farm, Ilene was very active in 4H. With encouragement from her father, she was the first girl to graduate from Latimer High School and the first person in her family to graduate high school. She went on to attend Iowa State (College) University, majoring in home economics. At her graduation in 1944, she was recognized for academic achievement with membership in Phi Kappa Phi and Mortar Board. After teaching science and home economics for one year, she moved to Decorah in 1945 to become the home economist for the Winneshiek County Extension Service.

Ilene was united in marriage to Donald Edward Moore on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1946, in Latimer, IA. On their first date, Don was called to tend to a sick farm animal. Ilene not only went along but assisted by holding the light after the nervous farmer passed out. Ilene and Don were blessed with five children: Elizabeth, Donald, David, Martha, and Janet.

Ilene was an especially kind woman who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Many enjoyed a meal at the family dining room table looking over toward the river. While raising their children, she helped Donald with his veterinary practice and was a substitute teacher. After their children were grown, Ilene and Don worked together as owners of the Ben Franklin Store in Decorah.

She encouraged education and was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. Her travels around the world were yet another way to fulfill her desire to learn. She confessed to her children that her secret to knowing what was going on in the world was to read the front page of the Wall Street Journal every day. Ilene appreciated the outdoors. Sitting on a sand bar, taking a boat ride on the Mississippi River, and reading and relaxing at their Lansing cabin gave her much enjoyment. Without fail, she could tell you the name of any bird or tree.

Ilene was a proud and active member of her community. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Oneota Country Club, Eastern Star, NEI Quilt Guild, Monday Club, SCORE, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, Investment Club, and Friends of the Decorah Library. She volunteered many hours to the American Cancer Society.

Ilene is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dr. Donald Moore of Decorah; four children: Elizabeth Porter (Larry Freed) of Austin, TX, David (Nancy) Moore of Edina, MN, Martha (Kurt) Aschim of Marinette, WI, and Janet (Greg) Evans of Scottsdale, AZ; nine grandchildren: Katherine Porter, Jacob Porter (Sarah Pontoski), Emily Porter (Ryan Morrissey), Samuel Moore, William Moore, Ellen (Josue) Trelles, Annie (Read) McKendree, Hans (Amanda Yogendran) Aschim, Natalie (Daniel) Parkman; ten great-grandchildren: Luke, Paul, and Elizabeth Hoffman, Waylon Porter, Margaret, Helen, and Oliver Morrissey, Alejandro and Carl Marco Trelles, and Malachi Parkman, and one sister, Evon Bailey of Ames, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Donald M. Moore February 24,1954, and grandson Scott Evans April 20, 2008.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Decorah Public Library, 202 Winnebago St., Decorah, IA 52101 or WMC Hospice, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

Our heartfelt thanks go to her many friends, the staffs of Aase Haugen Senior Services and WMC Hospice, and caregiver Ruby Helgerson.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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