Gurney, Mildred (Mott) 1910-2008

GURNEY, MOTT, DAVENPORT

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 11/6/2009 at 15:24:00

Mildred Gurney of Tracy passed away peacefully at the age of 98 years on September 5, 2008 at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital.

Mildred was born on a sheep ranch August 4, 1910 at Noel, Morton County, ND. She was the seventh of eight children born to Robert L. and Altha (Davenport) Mott. The family moved to Rockwell City, Calhoun County, Iowa where Mildred attended grade school. She moved with her family to a farm near Pleasantville, Marion County, Iowa. Mildred graduated with the Class of 1928 from Pleasantville High School. Mildred received a teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) and taught a country school in Webster County, Iowa until her marriage.

Mildred was married to Haldene W. Gurney in 1934. The couple farmed in the Pleasantville area until they purchased their own farm in 1941 near Tracy. She resided on the farm near Tracy for the next 65 years.

Mildred was a homemaker, raising a large garden and attended to the duties of a farm wife and mother. She especially enjoyed raising flowers. Mildred resumed teaching in 1955 and taught at McMillan School in rural Marion County. While teaching Mildred pursued and received a bachelors degree in elementary education from Drake University. She taught at Attica and Tracy until her retirement in 1972. Mildred was a dedicated teacher.

She was a 50 year member of the Tracy Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Tracy Methodist Church and active in all aspects of the community. After the death of her husband in 1976, Mildred learned to drive, care for her home and took over the stewardship of the farm. Mildred continued to bake bread weekly until she was 95. She also enjoyed quilting and crafts.

Mildred is survived by one son and his wife, Don and Barbara Gurney of Reinbeck, IA; three daughters, Ladana Milledge of Knoxville, Linda Hoy and her husband, Dr. Gene of Richland, and Jinny Pettyjohn of Knoxville; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 sister-in-law, Evelyn Mott of Tracy.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son-in-law, Ollie J. Milledge; 2 grandsons, Craig Milledge and John Gurney and 3 sisters, Merle Lorentzen, Dana Rhodes and Jean Fountain; four brothers, Robert D., Verne, Thomas and Stanley.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville at 10:30 a.m. with burial in Bellefountaine Cemetery near Tracy. Casket bearers were Dan Gurney, Daniel and David Hoy, David Havener, Chad Pettyjohn and Dan Sneller. The musical selection were “In the Garden”. Janet Westberg was the vocalist and Jim Kidder was the organist. A special CD “How Great Thou Art”, recorded by Jill Bauman, a granddaughter was played.

Williams Funeral Home Sept. 10, 2008