Caughell, Marcella J. (1920 - 2012)

CAUGHELL, GOODWATER, ISAAC

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/14/2013 at 14:24:15

Marcella J. Caughell - Age 92

Marcella Josephine Isaac Caughell was born on February 19, 1920 on the family farm southeast of Hancock, Iowa. She was the daughter of Alfred Ernest Isaac and Josephine Goodwater Isaac. She attended country school near her farm through the eighth grade. She went to high school in Hancock for two years before transferring to Avoca High School. During her junior year, she developed rheumatic fever and was confined to her bed for the remainder of the year. She graduated from Avoca High School in 1937 with her normal training certificate.

After Marcella turned eighteen, she began teaching at country schools. She taught at a school southeast of Hancock for one year and at a school near Minden for four years. During World War II, she returned to the family farm to help her parents on the farm while her brother served in the war. During those years, she taught at a school northeast of Hancock. After World War II, she moved to Omaha and attended Boyle’s Business College. She worked in Omaha at Kresge’s Store and for an insurance company.

Marcella married Floyd Wayne Caughell on June 9, 1948 at her parent’s farm home. They lived on his farm south of Avoca. They were the parents of one son, Clifton Caughell, who died at birth in 1950. Marcella helped Floyd on the farm and later was employed for four years as Clerk of Court in the Pottawattamie County Courthouse in Avoca. She was also the township assessor for Pleasant and James Townships for many years. Marcella and Floyd spent many winters in California, Mexico, and Costa Rica and enjoyed a trip to Wales, Great Britain. Floyd passed away on April 28, 1976.

Following Floyd’s death, Marcella was self-employed as an insurance salesperson and tax preparer. She enjoyed several winters in Mesa, Arizona as well as trips to Australia and Hawaii. In 1989, she moved from the farm into the new home she had built in Avoca.

She was a member of the United Church of Avoca and was a charter member of the Newtown-Avoca Historical Society. She was active in the planning and Construction of the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum in Avoca. She was secretary of the Iowa Farmer’s Union in Des Moines, Iowa for several years. She was also a member of the Botna Valley Genealogy Society in Oakland and donated funds for the construction of the addition to the Oakland library building to house the genealogy room. Marcella founded the Caughell Isaac Endowed Scholarship Fund which has provided scholarships to more than two hundred area high school graduates since it’s inception.

Marcella moved to the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center in Avoca, Iowa in the Spring of 2009 and this is where she died on Sunday, March 4, 2012 having attained the age of 92 years and 14 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd, her son Clifton, her parents, and her brother Lavern Isaac.

She is survived by close friends Mike Ohm of Okoboji, Iowa and Dean Kock, and his wife Mary Beth and their family, of Hancock, Iowa and many other friends.

Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullinger officiated the 11:00 A.M. funeral service on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the United Church of Avoca in Avoca, Iowa. Interment was held at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca with Mike Ohm, Dean Kock, Kim Peters, John Butcher, Mike Petersen and Darrell Jacobsen serving as casket bearers.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
Posted by permission