Dorothy Lucia (Courson) MCNEAL

MCNEAL, COURSON, LOVIN, ARMSTRONG, COURSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/28/2009 at 19:30:45

Belmond Independent, Iowa
November 24, 2009

Dorothy L. McNeal, 92, formerly of Belmond, died November 18, 2009 in Overland Park, KS. Services were held November 23 at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. Dorothy Lucia, the daughter of Robert and Lucia (Lovin) Courson, was born December 11, 1916 in Remsen. She moved to the Belmond area and graduated from Belmond High School. Dorothy attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. Dorothy married Clark McNeal on August 26, 1939 in Belmond. They lived in Ann Arbor, MI where she worked as a secretary for an international law firm. In 1942 they moved back to Belmond to join the family business, the Courson Agency, and raise their family. Dorothy supported Clark in his business and political endeavors, as he was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1949 until his death in 1959. After her husband's death, Dorothy attended Drake University and achieved both her bachelors and masters degrees in education. She taught third grade in Garner, Rowan, Goodell and Belmond. In retirement, Dorothy used her teaching skills as a missionary, teaching at a Methodist-sponsored school in Espanola, NM. When Dorothy became a grandmother, she moved to Oshkosh, WI to be a full time grandma. Later she moved to Cedar Falls. Throughout her life Dorothy was a strong witness for God, serving in many capacities. She was a missionary who was able to put her hand to work for His glory in so many ways. If there was something that was needed, she provided it with a loving heart. She served in numerous church capacities. Dorothy enjoyed quilting and being outside riding a bike.

She was preceded in death by her husband; brother Ronald; and sisters Ruth and Clara Jane. Dorothy is survived by her children Clark (Mary) McNeal of Iowa Falls, David (Judy) McNeal of Seattle, WA, Kristin (Greg) Armstrong of Oshkosh, Tyler (Roberta) McNeal of Stilwell, KS, and Sherman (Alison) McNeal of Cedar Falls; grandchildren Elizabeth, Jennifer, Kathryn, Jonathon, Margaret, Fraser, Grace and Lucia; great-grandchildren Robert, Andrew, Madeleine and Emily; and sister Nina Courson of Italy.