Taylor County, Iowa obituaries transcribed by Pat O'Dell - genpat@netins.net

027Funeral services for Betty Turner, age 92, of Bedford, who died Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the first Baptist Church in Bedford. Visitation was held Monday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7 PM. Interment was held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Fairview Cemetery or the First Baptist church. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Betty Lou Turner was born on October 24, 1919 in Whiteland, Indiana, the daughter of William and Hallie Speas. After graduating Union Township High School in 1938, she attended business college in Indianapolis and in the following years, worked in various secretarial positions.
On July 17, 1939 she and Dick Turner were united in marriage. Betty met Dick, a Bedford native, while visiting mutual friends in Greeley, Colorado. After marriage, they settled in Greeley. After Dick enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II, Betty followed him wherever the Army sent him, living in Louisiana and Texas until he was shipped overseas. In 1947, they returned to Bedford where they spent the rest of their lives. They had fifty-six happy years together before his passing in 1995.
They were blessed with two children, Sharon and Jim, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Betty was devoted to her family and friends, loving and nurturing them at every opportunity.
Betty had a great love of nature and gave thanks every day for the birds singing outside her window. She and dick enjoyed many years of fishing and golfing. Music also played a big part in her life. She enjoyed playing the piano, singing in the church choir, and especially loved making music at family gatherings. If she knew your birth date, you could count on her calling and singing “Happy Birthday.”
Betty was known for her positive outlook on life, always seeing the glass half-full. She often would sing her motto: “You’ve got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.” She had a very strong faith and verbally counted her blessings every day. She was incredibly patient, often saying “with patience and perseverance, things have a way of working out”.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick, and brother Eugene.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter Sharon Schmoll and husband Don of Rochester, Minnesota, son Jim of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sister, Ina Claire Yoh of Denver; three grandchildren: Eric Schmoll (Sarah), Kevin Schmoll (Bethany), Carrie Turner; seven great grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews.
Betty will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We will hold memories of her positive spirit, joy of life, and loving kindness as a wonderful gift. She will live in our hearts forever
028Memorial graveside services for Ed Land, age 77 of Gravity, who died Thursday, April 5, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska were held Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity. Visitation were held Tuesday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Military rites accorded at the cemetery. Memorials may be given in Ed's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
Walter Edward "Ed" Land was born December 17, 1934 in Council Bluffs Iowa the son of Merle Paul Land and Valora Glodine (Olphant) Land. Ed grew up in Omaha attending Tech High School and soon after enlisted in the United States Marine Corp with four years of active duty during the Korean conflict. He resided in Shreveport La starting his Milwright career and retired after 50 years with the local union 1463 in Omaha. In 1960, he met Marguerite "Maggie" Wortman and they were married January 14, 1961 in Lake Manawa, Iowa. To this loving union five children were born. Ed and Marge continued living in the Omaha area until 1970 when they moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska then in 1972 they moved to Gravity, Iowa.
Ed was hardworking, strong, generous, respected, touched the lives of many with his kindness and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
He enjoyed being around people, his dogs, laughing, sharing stories and was a father figure to many during the years. Ed had a very strong faith and was a member of the Gravity Nazarene Church. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan, had a passion for boxing, love the outdoors and beauty of nature. To Ed, the most important part of his life was his love for his children and family. He epitomized unconditional love to each of them.
Left to cherish his memory is his sons Mark, David and his daughters Deborah, Cheryl, Brenda and sister Joyce. Grandchildren Stephanie, Shawn, Christopher, Chelsie, Max, Drew, Lindsey and Angela. Great Grandchildren Samantha, Landon, Aydan, Lyla, Paige and Journey.
Welcoming Ed at the gates of heaven is his wife Marguerite, father Merle Paul, mother Volara, sisters Wanda, Donna, Beverly, Betty Jean, Darryl (Jim), Evelyn and Connie.
Ed will be missed by his entire family. The memories shared throughout the years
will remain in our hearts forever