Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 
 

Claiser, Ruby Walton -

Ruby Clasier passed away at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado on

January 4, 2007.

Ruby was born August 24, 1926 on a farm near Orient, Iowa to David Charles

Walton and Verna Olga Crist Walton. She was the fifth of seven children born.

She married Clinton Cordon Climax Clasier on August 12, 1944 in Troy, Kansas.

They lived and raised their family in southwestern Iowa: Bonnie Marie, Roger

Steven, Connie Margaret, Davy Dell and Cindy Sue.

Daughters Bonnie and Cindy preceded her in death.

Ruby was a creative woman who loved to sew and quilt. She also loved to garden

and cook. Her legacy and memories will go with us all into the future.

 Her family was her pride and joy. She leaves behind many loved ones: husband

children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. Her

love extended to her many friends and acquaintances. Ruby and Clinton moved

to Livermore, Colorado in the spring of 1991, but never lost their love of

Iowa and the family and friends there.

A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Lenox at 2:00 p.m.

on February 24th with a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Graceland

Cemetery in Creston at a later date.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 7, 2007

 

Collings, Franklin Harvey -

Franklin Harvey Collings, 82, passed away Friday, December 29, 2006 in his

home with his family at his side. Frank is survived by his wife of 60 years,

Jo Ann; a son, Cody Collings; two daughter, Sue (Ernie) Kosek and Jody Pence,

all of Cedar Rapids, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, R.F. Collings; his mother, Madge;

and three sisters, Fern Collings, Margaret Welch and Evelyn Wheeler.

He was born March 9, 1924 in Creston. He attended Michigan State

University and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry. He

was united in marriage to Jo Ann Kabel on Nov. 28, 1946 in Lenox. He

practiced his beloved profession of optometry for over 50 years.

Throughout his life he held many leadership positions in various

professional and non-professional organizations. Most recently he

authored and published a book, "Your Eyes, Your Eyesight, Your Eye

Doctor" for which his family is most proud.

Frank served in the Army Air Corps in the European Theater from

1942 to 1945, as an aerial gunner on B-17s and an armorer in a P-47

unit on the European continent shortly after D-Day. He was awarded

many decorations, among them the Silver Star for having rescued a

fellow airman from a burning bomber.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Dennis

and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Mercy Medical

Foundation, 70110th St, SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 2007

 

Davison, Mark Alan -

Funeral Services Mark Davison, age 47 of Bedford who died Sunday February 4,

2007, peacefully at his home 'were held Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 10:00

a.m. at the New Life Missionary Church in Bedford. Interment was held in the

Shearer Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Melanoma Association;

Hospice of Central Iowa or Taylor County Public Health. Memories can be shared

with the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Mark Alan Davison was born July 5, 1959, at Clarinda, Iowa, the second of four

children born to Delmar and Marcella "Sally" (Runde) Davison, and passed from

this life at his home in Bedford, Iowa on February 4, 2007. He graduated from

New Market High School in 1977. After exploring career opportunities, he

decided farming provided the lifestyle he preferred. Mark was a member of the

New Market Church of Christ where he grew spiritually and passed this sense of

faith on to his family. His first church-wide prayer was written on his hand,

smudged from nervous perspiration, but he went on to become a Sunday School

teacher and elder in the church.

On a very hot July 19, 1980, he was united in marriage to Sandra Kay Johnson

at New Market, Iowa. After a honeymoon trip to Colorado, the couple settled

temporarily in rural Hopkins until moving to the Davison homestead in rural

Braddyville. Mark was very resourceful and used wood to heat the house while

he and Sandy lived there. The couple enjoyed entertaining and much volleyball

was played in the summer with game nights in the winter.

Mark and Sandy moved to the Glen Stewart place south of Siam, in 1986 where

they started their family. They were blessed with two children, Alicia Lee and Luke

Andrew. Being a child at heart himself, Mark truly enjoyed his family. He was

most eager to go sledding, build snow igloos, make apple cider, or to build a

bonfire for a wiener roast for the kids. He enjoyed playing games with

nieces and nephews, helping them learn to swim, or giving them motorcycle rides.

It wasn't uncommon for Mark to be found at the bottom of a "dogpile".

Mark loved the outdoors and had a natural athletic ability that enabled him to

enjoy various outdoor sports. Family vacations ranged from skiing in Montana, to

hang gliding in Telluride, to water skiing at Lake of the Ozarks, and everything in

between. He wasn't a hunter or horseman himself, but he learned the skills needed

because of his children's interests.

Mark farmed and raised cattle and hogs; lots and lots of hogs! Mark took great

pride in being a good steward of the land and enjoyed his livestock. Carpentry and

woodworking were among his hobbies and his creations will be long cherished. Mark

was always willing to extend a helping hand to complete those little odd jobs that

no one else seemed to have time or patience to tackle.

Left to cherish Mark's memory are his wife Sandy of Bedford, daughter Alicia and

son Luke of the home, his mother Sally Davison of Lenox; two sisters, Sheryl

Jensen and husband Tom of Canton, Michigan; and Brenda Weed and husband

Lonnie of Bedford; a brother Dean Davison and wife Nancy of Laurie, Missouri;

brothers and sisters-in-law, Roy and Trish Johnson of Gravity; Cathy and Kevin

Routh of Springfield, Missouri; Patty and Vilas Morris of Gravity; Roger and Kathy

Johnson of Mendon, Missouri; James and Elaina Johnson of Gravity; along with many

nieces, nephews, relatives and a host of friends.

Preceding Mark in death are his maternal and paternal grandparents and his

father Delmar Davison in 2004.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 2007

 

Donaldson, Mildred Mable Grimm -

Funeral services for Mildred Donaldson, age 96, of Sharpsburg, who died Thursday,

February 1, 2007 at the Lenox Care Center were held Saturday, February 3, 2007

at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox United Presbyterian Church. Cremation followed

the services with burial to be held at a later date. Memorials can be directed to

the Lenox Care Center or the Sharpsburg United Presbyterian Church. Memories

can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home

of Lenox.

Mildred Mable (Grimm) Donaldson was the oldest daughter of Lloyd and Flo

(Lovitt) Grimm born on April 21, 1910, near Sharpsburg, Iowa. She grew up attending

near-by country schools, graduating with the Class of 1929 in Sharpsburg. Mildred

met Robert (Bob) Donaldson at a dance in Corning and they fell in love and married

March 5, 1931. Together they moved to the family farm southwest of Lenox where

they resided until 1975. To this loving union two children were born, Donald Eugene

and Janette Arlene.

Mildred was a homemaker, a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and

enjoyed the farm life. She loved to sew, tend her flowers and remodel her surroundings.

Her home was her haven. She taught Donald how to hunt in the timber south of the house,

how to fish and swim in the creek. She was an excellent teacher. Mildred was a longtime

member of the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church where they raised their children. She

also loved to play bridge or any other game you could name. She taught her grandchildren

and great-grandchildren that life isn't always about winning.

In 1955, Bob and Mildred began going to St. Petersburg, Florida where they would

spend part of the winter. Each year they would leave for the south a little earlier and

return a little later. They both enjoyed those times together. In 1975, they moved

from the farm to a house they purchased in Sharpsburg, Mildred made that her

home until failing health made it necessary to reside at the Lenox Care Center until

her death.

Left to cherish Mildred's memory are her son Donald Donaldson and wife Betty of

Lenox; four grandchildren, Craig Donaldson and wife Becky of Lenox; Donette Bish

and husband David of Alabama; Michael Daggett of Georgia; and Cheryl O'Brien

and husband Kevin of Georgia; seven great grandchildren; a brother, Bobby Grimm

and wife Marianne of Arizona; a sister-in-law, Arlene Grimm of Winterset, Iowa; six

nieces; a nephew; and a host of friends.

Preceding Mildred in death are her parents Lloyd and Flo Grimm; her husband

Bob in 1978; daughter Janette and husband Brad Daggett; grandson John Donaldson; two

brothers, Harlan & Wyatt Grimm; and her sister Maysel Boltinghouse.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 7, 2007

 

Fickess, Floyd Francis -

Funeral Services for Floyd Francis Fickess, age 73 of Bedford who died Friday,

February 2, 2007 in Omaha, Nebraska were held Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at

11:00 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment was held in the

Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Memorials can be directed to the United

Methodist Church of the individual's choice. Memories can be shared with

the family on our web site at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Floyd "Francis" Fickess was born June 3, 1933, in Creston, Iowa the son of Floyd

Fickess and Daisy (Bicknell) Fickess. He grew up attending school in Gravity,

graduating with the Class of 1951 from the Gravity High School. Francis was

married to the love of his life, Garland Marie Prather on July 10, 1954.

The High School sweethearts shared all that life had to offer them. Without

a doubt, he would want you to know that this was God's gift and the greatest

joy of his life. They had two children, Curt (wife Susan) of Puyallup, Washington

and Vicki of Seneca, Illinois. They also have 6 grandchildren; Lora (husband,

Ben Ellingson) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jason Fields of Elmhurst, Illinois, and

Andrea, Brad, Kayla, and Allyson Fickess of Puyallup, Washington. Francis answered

the call to serve his country, serving in the United States Army from 1953 to

1955.

Through his love of the outdoors, Francis enjoyed activities like fishing, hunting,

and many sports. Golf soon became the sport of choice. He not only enjoyed

playing the sport, but later started a business building golf clubs.

This led to the very rewarding opportunity of donating golf equipment every

year to the junior golf program at the Bedford Community School. Beyond the

play of the game and the equipment business golf provided a lifetime of

friendships filled with stories, laughter, and memories.

Francis' career as postmaster provided more than a livelihood. It gave him

the opportunity to build relationships and be a mentor with the young people of

the community. He loved being a part of their lives and accomplishments as children,

and continued as he followed their journey into adulthood.

The family would like you to remember Francis for the many ways he touched lives.

From the student /athlete of Gravity High School to the husband, the father, the

grandpa, the postmaster, the community volunteer, the golfer, the mentor, the story

teller and most of all, of the love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Left to cherish Francis' memory are his loving wife of 52 years, Garland Fickess of

Bedford; two children, Curt and Vicki; six grandchildren; a sister Marie Hayman; his

in-laws, along with many other relatives, and a lifetime of friends.

Preceding Francis in death are parents, Floyd and Daisy Fickess; a sister Darlene

King; two brothers-in-law Bob King and Bert Hayman.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 2007

 

Howe, Leonard Walter -

Leonard Walter Howe was born March 7, 1919 at Defiance, Iowa, the son of

Claude Howe and Blanche Mae (Brock) Howe. He entered into rest Friday, February

9, 2007 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs, IA. Leonard graduated

high school from the Defiance Public Schools. Leonard was married to Darlene

Warrick who preceded him in death in 1973. On Oct 8, 1976 he married Benita Mae

Kunnemann.

On January 20, 1942 Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic. He

went overseas in June 1942 landing in England to practice gunnery.  He was then

sent to Scotland to help bring on the first flights of B17 bombers from the

United States to England. He was sent to Africa for the invasion of North Africa

in December of 1942 and moved up the line east to Oran. Leonard stayed there

until the Germans were out of North Africa. In December 1943 he was moved

to Italy. The European Theater ended while he was in Italy. Leonard returned

to the United States in June 1944.

Leonard worked as a farmer before and after World War II. He made several

short term trips to Greenland as a heavy equipment operator during construction

season to help build an airbase. He then went to work for Fruehauf in Omaha.

He started in shipping and receiving in 1961 and retired in 1980 as tool and die

maker. After retiring he and his wife, Benita, moved to an acreage near Conway,

Iowa, and built an earth home. Following his wife's illness they sold the acreage

and moved to New Market, Iowa. In the late 1990's the couple moved and

made their home at Southview Apartments in Clarinda.

Leonard is a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Darlene and Benita; brother-in-law

Calvin Sims; and sister-in-law Bernice Howe.

He is survived by sisters, Dorothy Sims, Hawthorn, Nevada, and Ina J. Howe of

Phoenix, Arizona; brothers, Lowell Howe, Kirkman, Iowa, and Tracy Howe and wife

Marion of Hancock, Iowa; nieces, nephews and friends.

Graveside services were held Monday, February 12, 2007 at Clarinda Cemetery.

Walker-Merrick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 2007

Morris, Florbelle (Pat) Patterson -

Pat Morris, 82, of Kent, died Monday February 12, 2007 at Madison County

Hospital in Winterset. Services will be 1:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at the

Powers Funeral Home 601 New York Ave. Creston. Pastor Daniel Moore will

officiate. Burial will be West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Open visitation from

2 to 8 pm Wed., with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 pm Wed. at the

Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Memorial to the Peaceful Passage Hospice

House of Creston and the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may

be left under the obituary category at www.powersfh.com.

Florbelle "Pat" Morris, daughter of Myrtal Marie (Harris) Patterson and Willard

D. Patterson, was born Sept. 18, 1924 near Casey, Iowa. She graduated from

Creston High School in 1941. On Sept. 22, 1945, Pat married Hal Dean Morris

in Norman, Okla. After Hal Dean's military Navy service, they settled in

the Kent area in 1949, where they have made their home since. In addition to

being a homemaker, Pat was an insurance clerk at the Creston Medical Clinic

for 20 years. Pat was a member of the Cromwell Congregational Church,

having served as a Board member, former member of the Order of the

Eastern Star, served on the Advisory Board for Creston Rainbow, and had

helped with 4-H when her kids were active.

Survivors include her husband, Hal Dean Morris of Kent; two daughters, Susan

(husband James) Loudon of Creston and Peggy Sweeney of Britt; two sons,

Monty Morris of Kent and Paul (wife Carmen) Morris of Ankeny; 9

grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson, Thaddeaus, her brother,

Max Armstrong in World War II, a sister, Kathryn (husband Harvey) Heimke,

and a nephew Gary Heimke.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 21, 2007

 

Roberts, Paul Lee -

Paul Roberts, 83, of Mt Ayr, formerly of Creston, died Wednesday, January 24, 2007

at the Mt. Ayr Health Care Center. Services were held Friday January 26, 2007 at the

Powers Funeral Home, Creston. Rev. Jim Morris officiated. Burial took place in

the Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston. Memorials may be made to the family. Online

condolences may be left in the obituary category of www.powersfh.com.

Paul Lee Roberts, son of Minnie V. (Everett) Roberts and Walter Lee Roberts, was

born on Nov. 24, 1923 in Brooks, la. He graduated from Lenox High School, and

had additional training at Southwestern Community College and in other technical

specialty programs. On August 17, 1970, Paul married Maxine Green at Unionville,

Mo. Paul farmed for a few years and then ran a service station and feed

store in Sharpsburg. He went on to work as art Highway Inspector for the Iowa

Department of Transportation, retiring in 1984. They lived most of their married life

in Union County. They moved to Van Wert to live with their step-son. He moved to the

Mt. Ayr Health Care Center in Jan. of 2006.

Paul is survived by his wife Maxine Roberts of Van Wert; two daughters, Rebecca

White of Fallen, Nev. and Loretta (husband Sonny) Sewell of Norman, Okla.;

three stepsons, Darvin (wife Gabe) Leeps of Van Wert, David (wife Donna) Leeps of

Creston and Leonard Green of Van Wert; a brother, Don (wife Marjorie) Roberts of

Ankeny; along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Cecil Roberts.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 7, 2007

 

Stewart, Faye Maxine Young -

Funeral services for Maxine Stewart, age 92 of Prescott, who died Thursday,

January 18, 2007, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr will be held

Monday, January 22, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Prescott United Church Disciples of

Christ. Visitation will be held at the church in Prescott from 1:00 p.m. until service

time at 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Interment will be held in the Walnut Grove Cemetery

in Corning. Memorials can; be directed to her church. Please leave a message of

tribute to the Stewart family on our web Page www.ritchiefuneralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral

Home of Corning.

Faye Maxine Stewart was born November 22, 1914, near Mount Zion, north of Prescott,

Adams County, Iowa the daughter of Walter Young and Ethel (Watt) Young. She

graduated from Prescott High School with the Class of 1932. She then attended

Northern Iowa State Teacher's College where she received her Teaching

Certificate in 1934, and later continued her education at Northwest Missouri

State College in Maryville, Missouri. Maxine taught for twenty years, two

years in Colony Township Rural School; two years at Nevinville; then later in life;

for sixteen years at Prescott Community School; retiring in 1983.

On March 13, 1938, Maxine was united in marriage to Carlton M. Stewart. Together

they farmed in the Stringtown area. After Carlton's death on December 14, 1977,

Maxine continued to manage the farm until her death. She had a deep respect for

the land and found great joy in her rural way of life.

Maxine loved her family, church, flowers, gardening and community. She was a

life-member of the National Education Association, a longtime member of Pi

Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; a lifelong and active member of the Prescott Church,

United Church Women, the church quilting group, the Adams County Genealogical

Society, and other community organizations.

Left to cherish Maxine's memory are her two daughters Judy Combs and husband

Don of Bloomfield, Iowa; and Marilyn Routh and husband Bernard of Whiting, Iowa;

a son, Hal Stewart of Lenox; six grandsons, Jeffery and Victor Combs; David and

Tony Routh; Daniel and Chris Stewart; three greatgrandchildren, Hannah, Roman,

and Regan Combs; a sister-in-law, Mary Kay Young of Corning; along with several

nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceding Maxine in death were her parents; husband Carlton; two brothers,

Lloyd and Harold Young; an infant granddaughter, Stacy Stewart; and parents-

in-law, Mart and Clara Stewart.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 2007

 

Taylor, Dean E -

Dean E. Taylor of Dunbar, NE, passed away at the age of 80 on January 10,

2007, at his home in Dunbar.

Survivors include son Jim, former publisher of newspapers in Lenox,

Bedford, and Clearfield, now of 407 South Laura, Wichita, KS 67211; sons

William of Bennett, NE; and Richard Taylor of Griffin, Ga.; and daughter

Ann Jackson of Chugwater, Wyo. He is also survived by his wife Marion of

Dunbar, and his first wife Dorothy Taylor of Chugwater, Wyo.

Memorial services were held Monday, Jan. 15, at Gude Mortuary in

Nebraska City.

Dean waged a long battle against colon cancer before passing away.

Born in Lincoln, NE, he served the U.S. Navy on the USS Saratoga. He was

a jeweler by trade and owned Taylor Jewelry in Auburn, NE, before

employment at a number of jewelry stores in Nebraska.

He visited his son Jim in Lenox on a few occasions and was always

very impressed with the community's tidy appearance.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 31, 2007

 

Thomas, William Henry -

Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at the Sietsema-Vogel Funeral

Home hi Dumont, Iowa, with burial in the Dumont Cemetery.

William Henry Thomas, 89, of Dumont, Iowa, was born December 15, 1917 in Rock

Creek Township, Illinois. He and his sisters and brother were raised on a farm near

Calousa, Illinios. He moved to Nauvoo and graduated from Denmark High School in

Denmark, Illinois at the young age of 16. He was a genius! He attended Graceland

College, Iowa State Teacher's College, and graduated from Carthadge College

with a BA in Education. He married Geraldine Banks in the summer of 1942. From their

marriage came seven children; Judy in 1943, Billy in 1945, Johnny in 1947, Larry in 1949,

Danny in 1952, David in 1955, and Dawn in 1957. After serving in the United States

Navy during World War II, he worked as an appliance serviceman. In 1950 Bill and

Gerry moved to Lenox, Iowa where he worked as a math and physics teacher, and in

1954 became superintendent of the Lenox School District. In 1964, the family moved to

Dumont and he was the superintendent there until he retired in 1982. After

retirement he and Gerry enjoyed lending a helping hand on the Groszkruger farm,

working with Lions Club activities, doing crossword puzzles, reading, watching ball

games, traveling around the world, and spending time with friends and family. He was

also a faithful Blood Donor. He is survived by  his wife Geraldine Thomas of Dumont,

son Bill & wife Sharon Thomas of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, son Larry & wife

Colleen Thomas of Dunkerton, Son Danny Thomas of Minneapolis, Minnesota, son

David & wife Shirley Thomas of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, daughter Dawn & husband

Fritz Groszkruger of Dumont, brother Elbert Thomas of Lamoni, sister Mildred Blevins

of Rich Hill, Missouri, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. William is

preceded in death by his parents, one infant daughter, one infant son, and one sister,

Ada Griffith.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 7, 2007

 

True, Clare Mayo -

Clare Mayo True, niece of Dr. Rudy Imm and Mary Lu Imm, passed away December

24, 2006 at North Kansas City Hospital of complications from her seizure disorder.

Mass of Resurrection was held at St, Charles Borromeo Parish Thursday, December

28, 2006 at 12:00 noon. [Born 25 July 1980]

Preceding her in death were her sister, Lydia Doll True, her maternal grandparents

Raymond and Mary Clare Doll and her paternal grandparents Joseph and Mahala True.

Survivors include her parents, Dr. James True and Jane True, her brothers Tobias

True and Tyler True, four aunts, four uncles and 12 cousins.

With her innate grace, confidence and uncanny wit, Clare made countless close

friends around the world, especially in Kansas City, Kentucky, Chicago, Ireland

and Italy. Clare was a member of St. Charles Parish, where she participated in the

music ministry singing with the choir. As a Girl Scout, Clare enjoyed numerous

camping experiences. She was especially proud of earning her Rappelling Badge.

She attended Juliet Lowe Camp and Camp Courageous of Iowa for several seasons.

Clare Graduated from North Kansas City High School in 2001, where she lettered in

vocal music. She studied vocal music at Ibsen Dance Studio for several years. For

most of her life, Clare was an athlete at Kansas City Gymnastics School. She was

an active participant in Missouri Special Olympics Gymnastics for many years.

She won a gold medal with her swim relay team at the Missouri State Competition in

2003 and opened the Heartland Special Olympics Winter Games in 1999 singing

the National Anthem. Clare won a number of medals in downhill skiing, including a gold

in the Giant Slalom. Clare participated in the Special Olympics Kentucky State

Equestrian competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, in Oct. 2006.

She also participated in Missouri Special Olympics track, softball and basketball

competitions over the years. After graduating from high school, Clare worked for

two years at Certified Safety Manufacturing. For the last three years, Clare has

been a student at Stewart I-Lome School in Frankfort, KY, where she continued her

education, performed in the choir, and starred in the annual Family Weekend Revue.

One of the earliest to be diagnosed with chromosome 15th duplication syndrome,

Clare has been an inspiration to many families around the world who have children

with her genetic condition. She considered the members of IDEAS, the support

group for her genetic condition, to be her family. Her cell line was crucial in

helping geneticists understand a critical region of the 15th chromosome and

contributed to the mapping of the human gerome. Studies of her neural tissue

after death will help to advance scientific understanding of the human brain, especially

autism and seizure disorders. In addition to her organ donations to the Midwest

Organ Bank, her neural tissues will be available for study through the Autism

Tissue Program. Memorial donations were directed to IDEAS for further

research.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 2007

 

Underwood, Theoma LaVerne Matthews -

Theoma LaVerrie Mathews was born on her Mathews grandparents farm in the

Bratton, Union community north of Humboldt, Nebraska on November 8, 1915

and passed away on January 23, 2007 at the Good Samitarian Care Center in

Auburn, NE at the age of 91 years from complications of a stroke. She was the

daughter of the late Judith McNeely and Guy J. Mathews. As a child, she was

a member of 4-H showing a champion Black Angus heifer at the Nebraska

State Fair. Theoma attended Bratton Union School her entire 12 years

graduating in 1934. She attended Peru State College for 2 years and taught

grade school in Filley and Julian, Nebraska and Sharpsburg, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Richard James Underwood at her Mathews

grandparents' home on June 18, 1944. They resided on a farm in the Sharpsburg

community during their 30-year married life. Two children were born to this

union: Mary Faye (Mrs. Denis) Gibbs of Hawthorne, CA, and Patricia Anne (Mrs.

Ellis) McGaha of Maryville, TN. While residing in Sharpsburg, she was actively

involved in the Presbyterian Church choir and Women's Association. Theoma

was the first woman to serve as an Elder in the Sharpsburg church.

Several years following the death of her husband, Theoma moved to Auburn, NE

to care for her father and immediately became involved in the community. She

was a very active member of the Auburn United Methodist Church serving

on many committees including UMW President and on the Administrative Board.

She was very active in the choir and the Prayer and Share Group for many years.

She also belonged to the Brownville, NE Chapter #263 OES, serving as Worthy

Matron. She was a member of the Auburn Women's Club serving as its President

Theoma is survived by her children, three grandchildren (Jill, Sue, and Shelly),

5 great grandchildren (Tanner, Savannah, Havely, Ryan and Eliza); a brother

Don and wife Doris Mathews of Auburn, NE, a niece Shirley (Mrs. Bob) Drake

of Auburn, NE, a nephew David (Ruth) Mathews of Tucson, AZ and numerous

other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard.

Services for Theoma were held January 29, 2007 at the First Methodist

Church in Auburn, NE with Rev. Dr. Harold Backus officiating.

Interment will be in the Conway, Iowa cemetery at a later date.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday February 14, 2007

 

Walter, Bertha Notz -

Bertha Walter, age 95 of Des Moines, formerly of Lenox passed away in Des

Moines on January 21, 2007. Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 24,

2007 at the Lenox United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Maxa officiating.

Burial took place in the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials may be

directed to the Lenox United Presbyterian Church. Coen Beaty Pearson

Family Funeral Service of Lenox was in charge of arrangements. On line

condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Bertha Walter was born April 5, 1911 in Adams County, Iowa the daughter of

John Notz and Carrie Trost. She attended Adams County rural schools and

Lenox High School. On August 30, 1928 she was united in marriage to Lonzo

(Lonnie) Walter, who preceded her in death on July 1, 1977. The couple lived

all their married life on the farm northwest of Lenox.

Bertha was a housewife, a faithful, active long-time member of the Lenox United

Presbyterian Church. She spent many years as a volunteer for the Rose Ann

Auxiliary of Mercy Hospital in Corning. For more than 70 years she belonged to

the Friendly Neighbors Club of which she was a founding member.

Survivors include son: Garland Walter, Lenox (and former wife, Mary Walter);

daughter: Eileen (Paul) Tyler of Des Moines; grandchildren: Suzi Bonnett (Chad) of

Bellevue, NE; Joni Habel (Craig) of Urbandale; Debbie Larson (Brandon) of

Clearfield; Carrie Walter of Minneapolis, MN; Robert Tyler (Linda) of Des Moines;

Stephen Tyler (Jill) of Des Moines; Anne Trujillo (Tim) of Minneapolis; thirteen

great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers Harold Notz and Paul

Notz; two sisters, Pauline Walter and Anna Casey Arneal.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 31, 2007

 

Young, Richard Verl -

Richard V. Young, 75 of Lenox died Sunday, January 28, 2007 at Greater Regional

Medical Center in Creston. Services will be 1:30 PM Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Presbyterian Church in Lenox. Pastor Tim Maxa will officiate. Burial will be in the

North Fairview Cemetery, in Lenox. Open visitation will be 2-7:00 PM on Monday at

Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Memorials are to be established. Online

condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com under the obituaries category.

Richard Verl Young was born August 29, 1931; in Creston to Martha (Holten)

and Merril Young. He attended school in the Creston schools. On January 29, 1955

Richard was united in marriage to Sylvia Hoyt in Creston. He lived his life in

the Lenox area and worked for the Coca Cola Plant in Creston, until he began

working as a farmhand. Richard continued working as a farmhand until he got a job

at the Sheridan Egg Company, now known as Michael's Foods in Lenox, retiring in

1997.

Survivors include his wife: Sylvia Young of Lenox; four sons; Larry (wife Peggy)

Young of Supula, OK; Raymond Young of Fontanelle; Roger (wife Jessi) Young of

Fontanelle; Kelly (wife Tammy) Young of Greenfield; two brothers: Tom (wife Sally)

Young of Cedar Rapids; Harry (wife Shirley) Young of Creston; two sisters: Mary

Bell (husband Art) Purdy of Orient; Claudia (husband Gary) Hammond of Waco,

Texas; ten grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren

and two on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 31, 2007