Taylor County, Iowa: Lorelei Rusco obits Cox file

Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries

transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net

Cox, Cecil Max -

Funeral services for Max Cox, age 90 of Bedford, who died Sunday, August 6, 2006

at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Friday, August 11, 2006 at

10:30 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home with Reverend Jamie Mogler officiating.

Interment with military rites accorded by the John F. Hardin American Legion Post No.

164 were held in the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in his

name. Please leave a message of tribute to the Cox family on our web page,

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the

Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Cecil Max Cox was born October 11, 1915, in rural Page County, Iowa. He was one of

ten children born to William A. Cox and Effie (Downey) Cox. Max and a brother farmed

for a few years. He then drove a truck for Cudahy Packing Company in Bedford on a

country cream and egg route. On October 2, 1940, he was united in marriage to Verna

M. Lewis, daughter of Fred H. and Lula Lewis. They spent their entire married life in

Bedford and in 1952, they built their home on Court Street. After 62 years of

marriage, Verna preceded him in death in November of 2002.

Max answered the call to serve his country in October of 1942. He was in the service

for three years, serving 30 months of that time in the South Pacific. He was awarded

the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several other medals.

Max was the first school bus driver for the Bedford Community School District.

He later worked as a custodian in the school for 30 years. He loved working with the

children. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford, serving in

several capacities throughout the years. He also served the community in numerous ways,

including participation on the Library Board and helping with the Taylor County Museum.

He was Commander of the Bedford V.F.W. for two years and belonged to the John F.

Hardin American Legion Post No. 164.

Max loved to be outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever he could. Being a 'staunch supporter'

of the Bedford Bulldogs, Max enjoyed watching all kinds of athletic events throughout the

years.

Left to cherish Max's memory is a brother-in-law, Duane Lewis; numerous nieces and

nephews/and their extended families and many dear friends throughout the community

and especially the Godfather's Coffee Crew.

Preceding Max in death were his parents; his loving wife Verna in 2002; four brothers,

Clifford, Ober, Kenneth, and John Howard; five sisters, Mimalee, Audrey,

Luna, Grace and Dorothy.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 16, 2006

Cramer, Ronald -

Ronald Cramer, 67, of Connersville, Indiana died August 23, 2006 at Saint

Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He had been in failing health for several years,

but his death was unexpected.

He was born August 4, 1939 in Boonville, New York, one of four sons of H.H.

"Harvey" and Charlotte Patrick Cramer. As a child, he moved with his Family to

Connersville for residence and attended Connersville Schools.

In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served over 12 years in active duty

before his honorable discharge in 1965.

While serving in the military, he met Shirley Brown of Gravity (daughter of Hazel

Brown and the late Francis G. Brown). On September 27, 1962 they were married in

Gravity, Iowa.

Formerly employed at M & D Fixtures of Cambridge City, Indiana, he had also

worked for more than 32 years at Roots Blower in Connersville, retiring in 1993.

An active member of the Moose Lodge #1160 for many years, other memberships

included AMVETS, American Legion Post #1 and the Voliture 40 & 8 Club. During

his leisure time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and woodworking and was an avid

NASCAR fan.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Connersville, IN; four children: Teresa Cramer

Sellers and husband Mike, Brownsville, IN; Tina Cramer and companion, Junior Guffey,

Cambridge City, IN; Troy Cramer and companion, Michele Keen, Connersville, IN; and

Tonya Cramer Mullins and husband Scott, Connersville, IN; five grandchildren: Ashley

Sellers, John Tipton, Jr., Tiffany Faber, Marian Cramer and Jake Mullins; two great

grandchildren: Alexis Tipton and Emilea Tipton; One brother, Larry Cramer and

wife Diana, Abington, IN; mother-in-law Hazel Brown, Bedford, IA: brothers-in-law,

Leo Brown and wife Carolyn, Bedford;, IA; and Gary Brown and wife, Nancy, Gravity,

IA: sisters-in-law Gayle Houk and husband Ellis, Bedford, IA: and Charlene Beckman

and husband, Al, Omaha, ME; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Robert Harvey Cramer and

Barry B. Cramer.

Funeral services were held August 26,2006 at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral

Home in Connersville with burial at Dale Cemetery, with military rites conducted by

the Fayette County Veteran's Council Honor Guard.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 13, 2006

Dukes, Charles -

Funeral Services for Charles Dukes, age 76 of Bedford who died Thursday, August 10,

2006 at his home in Bedford were held Monday, August 14,2006 at 10:30 a.m.

at the United Methodist Church in Bedford. Interment was held in the Fairview

Cemetery in Bedford. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the

following: Bedford United Methodist Church, Taylor County Museum or the American

Cancer Society. Please leave a message of tribute to the Dukes family on our web page,

www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie

Funeral Home of Bedford.

Charles Dukes; the son of Ora and Chloe Dukes, was born on December 27, 1929,

at the Dukes farm home near Sheridan, MO. Surrounded by his family, he died at home in

Bedford on August 10, 2006.

Charles attended a rural school in Worth County, MO, graduated from high school at

Sheridan in 1947, and worked with his father after graduation in learning the skills of

carpentering. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in January, 1951, and served in Korea until

late 1952.

He married Louise Wintermute in January, 1953, and moved to the farm east of

Bedford where they lived for 42 years. Charles farmed not only to make a living, but

because he liked to watch the progress of the corn and bean crops from spring planting to

harvest. He liked the Sunday evening drives to the South 80 to check on the cattle, and the

smell of new-mown hay. He liked the challenge of conserving the soil, and the satisfaction

of improving his farming efficiency. He liked working with his neighbors, sharing great

stories, and good-natured teasing. He was a quiet, unassuming man of few, but inspiring words

and a great sense of humor.

Between the seasons of planting and harvest on the farm Charles did carpentering,

including building several homes in Bedford. He liked working with wood whether it

was in restoring the Taylor County Round Barn, building a scale-model doll house, a

rocking horse for a grandchild, or the wood case for his next stained glass clock project.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of Bedford, and helped with many community projects,

including the building of the Red Barn at the fairgrounds, helping organize the Fourth of

July parades and restoring artifacts or mowing the lawn at the Taylor County

Museum where he was chairman of the board in recent years. He was a member of the Bedford

Community School Board at the time of reorganization (1959-1964), served on the Taylor

County ASCS committee (1981-1990) and was an active member of the Bedford Lions Club.

He was a member of the Brethren Church near Sheridan until 1953 when he joined the

United Methodist Church in Bedford. He served on many church committees over the

years and helped with a number of building and repair jobs at the church, including

the building of the United Methodist parsonage. He lived his faith, loving God, his

family, and his neighbors as himself.

Charles loved to travel, and had visited 49 of the 50 states; (he missed South

Carolina). He and Louise rode a ship through the Panama Canal, landed in a helicopter on

a glacier in Alaska, saw the fireworks display from a gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice,

picnicked in the Alps, saw Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard in

London, attended Mardi Gras festivities in Vera Cruz, Mexico, went salmon fishing off

the Oregon coast; camped in many parks in the United States and Canada, revisited

South Korea and noted the amazing transformation from its wartime appearance and

walked the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They spent

seven fun-filled winters in Tucson, AZ.

Among his pleasures were holding a new-born grandchild or "great", bouncing a squealing

toddler on his foot, playing a game of pool or golf with grandchildren, sharing

conversations about the progress of the crop or the report of the most recent rains

with family and friends; these were his great joys. He loved life and lived it to the fullest in

spite of the limitations posed by the cancer which ravaged his body over the last year. He

could have said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the

faith". (2 Timothy: 7)

Frank Meysman says of Dad, "Great men have some commonalities: they are often

tall and handsome, they have an all-spotting eye and mind. They are scarce on words, but

when they talk they are listened to. But above all, they have CHARACTER. One of

these characters is DAD. He felt as comfortable and looked as handsome in his blue

overalls as in his Sunday suit.

Although no longer alive, he is not dead, because you're only dead when they forget. I'll

never forget."

Included in the family who survive him are Louise, his wife for 53 years, three children

and their spouses: David (Pat) Dukes, Bedford; Mary Jane (Dr. Terry) Sprague, Audubon, IA;

Martha (Doug) Standerwick, Mountain Lake, MN; eight grandchildren: Elaina (James)

Johnson, Gravity, IA; Troy (Erin ), Dukes, Roland, IA; Katy (Dustin) Longfellow,

Woodlawn, TN; Kristen (Jon) Lucas, Rockport, MO; Steven Sprague, Whitney, TX; Justin

Sprague, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Nathan Dukes, Rachel Dukes, Mountain Lake, MN;

eight great grandsons: Zachary , Alex and Bradley Johnson, Mason and Quinton

Dukes, Ethan, Caleb and Ryan Lucas. Another great grandchild is expected next

month. AFS son Frank Meysman (Leen) and their children Tom and Ann, Merchtem,

Belgium are also a part of the surviving family.

Siblings who survive are Harold Dukes (Gerry), Lebanon, OR and Glenn (Donna) Dukes,

Phoenix, AZ; and Helen (George) Guhl, Vallejo, CA. Also surviving are many sisters-in-law,

brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Lowell Dukes and Wilber Dukes.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 16, 2006

Gibson, Vivian Marie Bengtson -

Vivian M. (Mrs. Robert) Gibson, 90, 916 S. Cherry Circle, Mt; Pleasant, IA, and formerly

of Red Oak and Bedford, IA, died Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at her residence.

A funeral service for Vivian Gibson will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 1, at

the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Burial will be in the

Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Mrs. Gibson, the former Vivian Marie Bengtson, was born November 27, 1915 in Essex,

Iowa, the daughter of Victor Carl and Laura Regina (Hultine) Bengtson. She attended

country school her first eight years of schooling and graduated as valedictorian of the

Red Oak High School class of 1934. Following graduation, she worked as a nanny, Sales

Clerk and office secretary. On November 3, 1940 at the Methodist Church in Red Oak,

Vivian was united in marriage to Robert Judson Gibson.

After her marriage, Vivian worked in the county Engineer's office from 1941-1945. Her

husband returned home from WWII arid they moved to Ames in 1946 while Bob

attended ISU. They located to Mt. Ayr, IA in 1947 and to Bedford in 1950. In 1957,

they moved to Mt. Pleasant, where they have resided ever since.

Those thankful for sharing in Vivian's life include her husband of 65 years, Robert of Mt.

Pleasant; 2 daughters, Susan Kerr and Barbara Kennedy and her husband Doug, all of Mt.

Pleasant; 2 granddaughters, Paula Kinney and her husband Greg and Megan Kennedy, all of

Mt, Pleasant; 2 great grandsons, William and James Kinney, both of Mt. Pleasant, and

a sister in law, Mrs. Ruth Graham, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, She is also

survived by her Costa Rican AFS Exchange daughter, Lorna Mateo, her parents, 1 brother,

Victor Bengtson arid 4 sisters, Francis Myers, Irene Wheeler, Bernice Pearson and

Mamie Lindstrom precede Vivian in death.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 6, 2006

Gray, Stanley Craig -

Stanley Craig Gray, son of Milford Cushman Gray and Audrey Jean (Denton) Gray

was born, August 21, 1951, Creston, IA. He passed away Thursday, August 24, 2006,

at the Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE. from complications due to a stroke at

the age of 55.

Stan's early life was spent in Lenox, IA, before moving to Shenandoah, IA., where

he attended high school his junior and senior year. He graduated from Shenandoah

High School with the Class of 1969. Stan then attended Iowa Western Community College.

Oh July 28, 1979, Stan was united in marriage to Christina (Delaney) Sprague at the

First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. Following their marriage they made

their home in Shenandoah and to this union were born two sons, Joshua and

Jonathon.

While in high school, Stan worked at Sullivan Furniture Store and Nurseries. Following

graduation, from 1969-1972, he worked for Pamida (Gibson's) setting up new stores

in Wyoming, Colorado and Iowa. From 1972-2001, Stan went into business with his dad

in Shenandoah at Gray Equipment as a distributor for John Blue Co., later adding

Gray's Small Engine Repair. From 2001 to 2003, Stan worked at American Meter

Co in Nebraska City until injuring his back.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shenandoah and past

member of the Stoney Point Optimist Club, Farragut, IA. Stan was very active in

sports: golf, hunting and fishing. He had an unbelievable love of basketball himself,

playing outside with his kids any chance he had. He enjoyed helping and teaching kids

the finer points of basketball and would never miss a game. He was a huge fan of the

Iowa Hawkeyes. He was Black and Gold all the way. Family was most important to Stan,

doing anything to spend time with them.

Preceding Stan in death was his father, Milford Gray.

Survivors include his two sons, Joshua Gray and wife Karla, Essex, IA, and Jonathon

Gray, Shenandoah; mother, Audrey Gray, Shenandoah; sister, Crystal McDonough and

husband Terry, Scottsdale, AZ.; two step-children Michael Sprague and wife Lilian,

Villisca, IA. and Robin Sprague, Shenandoah; one grandson, Dylan Gray, Essex;

one step-granddaughter, Delaney Finley, Shenandoah; also many aunts, uncles; cousins,

other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held, Tuesday, August 29, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at the

Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home, Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastors

Jim Gubser and Fred Bryson. Musical selections were "Amazing Grace", "How Great

Thou Art: and "Love Without End, Amen". Attending the memory register were

John and Marcene Nelson.

Honorary casket bearers were Michael Denton, Jim Hanna, Brant Denton, Steve Denton

and Scott Denton. Casket bearers were Don Driskell, Dave Christensen, Dave Morelock,

Tom French, Doug Adams and Torri Maher.

Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are being directed to the family.

The Hackert-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at

www.hackettlivirigston.com on the web.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 6, 2006

Harris, Kathryn (Katie) Lorraine Gerdes -

Memorial services for Kathryn "Katie" Harris, age 76 of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of

Bedford who passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18, 2006 at the Lexington Park

Nursing Home Facility in Topeka, Kansas were held Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 3:30 p.m.

at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment of ashes was held in the Fairview

Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Quincy Elementary School

in Topeka, Kansas. Please leave a message of tribute to the Harris family on our web

page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries or to the funeral home in Topeka

at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com. Local arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie

Funeral Home of Bedford

Kathryn "Katie" Lorraine Harris was born on November 9, 1929, in Spencer Nebraska,

the daughter of a principal and optometrist, Ben and Hazel Jackson Gerdes. She was

a 1947 graduate of Hawarden High School. She attended college at UNI in Cedar Falls,

Iowa, where she earned her BA in Education. She continued her education at

Southern College of Optometry in Memphis Tennessee, where in 1951 she earned her

doctorate in Optometry. It was there that Kathryn met her future husband, William

Houston Harris, Jr. They were married October 21, 1950. After graduation Will and

Katie Harris moved to Bedford IA to open their own optometry practice and begin

their family. While in Bedford, she ran the Lake of Three Fires. After retiring,

Kathryn moved to Topeka, Kansas. She became a paraprofessional at Quincy

Elementary School where she tutored children with learning disabilities.

Kathryn had many passions, such as gardening, antiquing & quilting. She was a blood

drive organizer and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, William Harris, her son, Daniel Harris,

her parents, Ben & Hazel Gerdes and her brother Garry Gerdes.

She is survived by her children, Dennis Harris, Topeka, Valery Norton, Las

Vegas, Nevada; Dean Harris, Holly Springs North Carolina; ten grandchildren,

three great grandchildren; her sister, Elinda "Linde" Ross; and numerous nieces and

nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 23, 2006

Hughes, Alyce Marian Maloy Carr -

Alyce Marian Hughes of Lenox, Iowa died September 6, 2006 at Spencer Hospital in

Spencer, Iowa, while seeking to recover from a series of abdominal surgeries Since

April, 2006, Marian had been living at the Milford Nursing Center in Milford, Iowa,

striving to return to her home in Lenox, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, September 11, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at St.

Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox. The celebrant was Father Tan Tran. Interment

was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, Iowa at 1:30 p.m. The Ritchie Funeral Home of

Lenox is in charge of arrangements.

Marian was born October 29, 1916 to Ravel Baird Maloy and Irene Wilkinson Maloy at

Redding, Iowa. She graduated from Redding High School in 1933, and from Northwest

Missouri State Teachers College in 1937, with a Bachelor's degree in math, English

and music education.

She taught in Milford, Iowa, Spickard, Missouri and Chillicothe, Illinois. During World

War II, she worked in the war effort for Firestone Tire Company in Des Moines, Iowa.

On March 2, 1946 she was married to Edward J. Carr, after his return from the

service in the European Theater, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Maloy,

Iowa. The two resided in Mount Ayr, Iowa, where Edward was a partner in the Carr

Chevrolet Company. Edward died November 22, 1959. In Mount Ayr, Marian

was active in many community activities, including Chapter CK of the PEO Sisterhood,

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Ringgold Singers and the Mount Ayr Golf and Country

Club. She was a leader in the effort to fund and develop Judge Lewis Park and its

swimming pool.

On January 31, 1970, Marian married Judge James E. Hughes of Lenox, Iowa.

The two resided in Lenox. There, she was active in Chapter FW of the PEO

Sisterhood, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the Lenox Golf Club. James died

December 5, 1995.

In addition to her church, family and community, Marian's interests included

reading, current events, music, bridge, corresponding with her family and many friends,

and the game of golf. Her genuine interest in the lives of others and her keen memory for

people and their milestones made her an authoritative source for near and remote

family historians and for people needing to settle a bet.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, two brothers, F.B. ("Bill")

Maloy, Jr., a war casualty in the Pacific Theater, and Jack Maloy, who died in infancy,

and two stepdaughters, Kathy Azinger and Jeanne Bush.

Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Patrick Carr, his wife Susan and their

sons, Edward and David, of West Okoboji, Iowa, Michael, his wife Nancy, and

their daughters, Alexandra, Samantha, and Adrienne, of Chanhassen, Minnesota, and

Joseph, his wife Vicki, and their children, Katelyn and Matthew, of Fairfield, Iowa.

Also, her two stepdaughters, Mary Walter, Lenox, and her four daughters, Suzi Bonnett,

Joni Habel, Debbie Larson, and Carrie Walter; and Peggy Tripp, Kent, Iowa, and her husband,

David, and their children, Mandy Lobbins, Sarah, Jacob and Charles Tripp; two stepsons

in law, Michael Azinger, and his children, Chris and Josh Azinger; and Phillip Bush,

his wife Vicki, and his children, Steve, Linda and Mike Bush, and eleven step-great

grandchildren. Also, her cousin, Kathleen Freed of Redding, her sister in law, Ila

Holmes of West Des Moines, her good friend, Linda Notz of Lenox, and many other

relatives and friends.

Marian's quick, warm smile, abiding faith and generous spirit will be missed

by all who knew her.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 13, 2006

Livingston, Dorothy Jean -

Graveside committal services for Jean Livingston, age 77 of Bedford who died

Friday, July 7, 2006 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center were held Tuesday,

July 11, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. A memorial service

celebrating Jean's life was held at the nursing home at 2:00 p.m. Memorials can be

given in Jean's name. Please leave a message of tribute to the Livingston family on our

web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements

were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Dorothy "Jean" Livingston was born April 3, 1929, on a farm in Taylor County,

Iowa the daughter of Ralph R. Livingston and Edna Phon (Singleton) Livingston. She

grew up on the family farm attending Dunning Country School to the eighth grade.

While she lived at home, Jean loved playing with her cats and dogs. She always looked

forward to traveling with her family to California where they visited her brother Max.

Jean and her mother Phon entered the nursing home together in the late 1970's. As

this would become her home for the next twenty some years, Jean adopted the other

residents and workers as her family. She enjoyed working math problems, or as Jean

would say, "doing the arithmetic". She liked working word search puzzles creating

scrap books and coloring. Jean was known as the 'social butterfly' of the nursing home.

She loved being active in conversations and in being sure things were done right! And

in her words she would ask you "isn't that right?" In her younger years, she enjoyed

playing bingo and bean bag toss. She always loved being given daily tasks such as

folding napkins and other things. Jean always looked forward to handing out

candy to all of the trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

Left to cherish Jean's memory are two nieces, Virginia Akers and husband

Corwan of Alamo, Texas; and Beth Livingston; a nephew, Henry Livingston and several,

great-nieces and nephews along with all of her friends at the nursing home.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents; two brothers Hal R. and Ralph

Max; and a sister, Helen Mary.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 19, 2006

Mendenhall, Martha Ellen Beckett Anderson -

Graveside memorial committal services for Martha Mendenhall, age 92 of Bedford

who died Friday, June 9, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Home in Villisca were held

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford.

Memorials can be given in her name. Please leave a message of tribute to the Mendenhall

family on our web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements

were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Martha Ellen (Beckett) Mendenhall was born March 29, 1914, in Gooding, Idaho the

daughter of George Beckett and Grace (Ginn) Beckett.

The family returned to Iowa in 1928 and settled near Gravity. She grew up attending

school in Bedford, because her brother went to school there. However, graduated in 1932

from the Clarinda High School. After graduation she worked in Bedford at the

Hamburger Inn. In 1938, she was united in marriage to Robert Anderson.

Bob was in the service and they moved to several different Army bases. After World

War II they returned to Bedford where Bob worked for the lumber yard and Martha

worked for 25 years in the office on Main Street of Iowa Power. In 1963, Bob passed

away and Martha continued working in Bedford. In 1968, she was united in marriage to

S.K. "Kelite" Mendenhall who owned the Taylor County Motor Ford Garage. Upon

their marriage, Martha quit working outside the home.

She and Kelite truly enjoyed their nightly trips to check out the farm and cattle operation.

Martha enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading and playing bridge. She was her 'own

person', always pretty 'spunky'! She was known for doing things her way! The

true passion in Martha life was her sister Dorothy. Over the years the two of them

were so close, that they were truly inseparable.

Left to cherish Martha's memory are her brother Richard Beckett and wife

Marge of Villisca; two stepdaughters, Kae Eberle of Bedford; and Jean Killam and

husband Herbert of Bedford; three nephews Gary Beckett of Des Moines; Greg Beckett

and wife Brenda Lee of Villisca; and Jeff Beckett of Council Bluffs; a niece

Barbara Beckett-Collier of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a step granddaughter Victoria

Guilliatt and husband Dick of Bedford and their children Stefanie and Timothy; and a

sister-in-law Marion Anderson of North Platte, Nebraska; along with many friends.

Preceding Martha in death were parents George and Grace Beckett; her first

husband Robert Anderson; her second husband; Kelite Mendenhall, brother George Jr.

and Robert Beckett; and a dear sister, Dorothy Walker.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 19, 2006

Miller, Mildred Olive (Millie) Cook -

Graveside funeral services for Millie Miller, age 81 of Bedford who died Thursday, August 3,

2006 at the Lenox Care Center were held Monday, August 7, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairview

Cemetery in Bedford.

Memorials can be given in Millie's name. Please leave a message of tribute to the Miller family

on our web page, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Mildred Olive "Millie" Cook, was born May 4, 1925, in Blanchard, Iowa, the daughter of Samuel

D. and Ellen (McGinnis) Cook, and passed away on August 3, 2006, at the Lenox Care

Center, Lenox, Iowa, at the age of 81 years, 2 months and 30 days.

Millie grew up in Hopkins, Missouri, and attended Hopkins School until 1940.

On September 28, 1940, she was united in marriage to Wayne F. Miller. Wayne and

Millie made their home in Bedford until Wayne entered the service. In 1944, Wayne

and Millie divorced. Following their divorce, Millie entered cosmetology school and

eventually became a hairdresser in Medford, Oregon, where she owned and operated

her own business for 33 years. During part of that time, Millie served as Regional

President of the Oregon Hairdressers Association. In 1978, Millie earned a real

estate license and was a realtor in Medford, Oregon, for six years. She was a

member of the Medford Board of Realtors.

In 1983, Millie returned to the Bedford area. On February 14, 1984, Wayne

and Millie were reunited in marriage at the United Christian-Presbyterian

Church in Bedford, Iowa.

After Wayne's retirement from Purolator Courier, the couple began building a new

home in Bedford, where they enjoyed their retirement in the community for the next

several years. Millie enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, knitting, sewing, card club and

spending time with Wayne in his woodworking shop, making items to sell at craft fairs in

the area. Due to declining health, Wayne and Millie were forced to sell their home in

Bedford, and in May 2002, they moved to the Lenox Care Center, where they have

resided since that time.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son C. Kelly Wilson, step-son,

Richard Miller, brothers, David L. (Bus), Robert L., and Charles D. Cook, stepdaughter

Marie Wilson Anstine.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of Lenox, Iowa, one sister, Phyllis A.

Mitchel, of Sacramento, California, step-sons, Stanley Miller, of Albion, Iowa, Rick

Miller of Washington State, daughter-in-law, Ann Wilson, grandson Matthew Wilson of

Brookings, Oregon, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2006

Pershin, Forest Mack -

Forest Mack Pershin, 86, of Creston died Mon. Aug. 28, 2006, at the Greater Regional

Medical Center in Creston. No public services will be held. Online condolences

can be made at www.powersfh.com.

Forest Mack Pershin, son of Audrey Vernie (Raynor) Pershin and Forest Manford

Pershin was born January 7, 1920 in Ringgold Co., Iowa. He graduated from Gravity

High School in 1938. On June 8, 1939 he married Dorothy Annie (Dahlberg) in Mount

Ayr, Iowa. They settled northwest of Lenox in Adams County. In 1953, they moved

to Lenox where he owned and operated Mack's Billiards for two years. He moved

to a farm south of Lenox until 1975, when they moved to Creston and have

continued to reside.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Pershin of Creston; one son, Mike (wife

Linda) Pershin of Creston and one daughter, Judy (husband Raymond) Rios of Clearfield;

two grandchildren, Rhonda Rios of Riverside, Calif., and Pam (husband Brent) Strabala

of West Branch; three great grandchildren, one sister, Lela Dukes of Ellston; a

brother-in-law, Lowell Bush of Longmont, Colo., and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Dale (wife Pearl), Lee

(wife Louise) and Elbert (wife Maxine); one brother in-law, Vince Dukes,

and two sisters-in-law, Ruby Bush and Alice (husband Bob) Reynolds.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 6, 2006

Preston, Deborah Jane -

Deborah Jane Preston, age 51, passed away Monday, July 26, 2006 at her home in

Fort Collins, CO.

A private funeral service for immediate family and relatives was held Thursday, August

3, 2006 at Caldwell Raddatz Funeral Home. Interment followed at the West

Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

She was born January 17, 1955 in Miami, FL. The daughter of Dr. Richard E. Preston

and Phyllis Agnew Preston. She graduated from Valley High School, West Des

Moines, IA, in 1973, after which she attended Drake University, receiving a B.A.

degree in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1978. She majored in language and

literature and was a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society. She was gifted in

languages, and studied French and Russian in high school. She was active in promoting

poetry and the literary arts, serving as an editor of Valley High's literary journal,

The Journeyman. She graduated with academic honors.

During college, she participated in an academic trip to the Soviet Union, making

several friends along the way and laying the foundation for a lifelong interest in Russian

culture and literature. While at Drake, she also participated in literary editing.

Debbie enjoyed singing in various church choirs. As a teenager, she was a member

of Job's Daughters. She remained a fan of The Arts throughout her life, was an

excellent correspondent, had a wry sense of humor and a style that always enlivened

her communication.

She is survived by her parents, her brothers, Dr. Mark (Teresa) of Urbandale, IA.

and David (Phea) of Seattle, WA. and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Earl and Jennie

Preston, of Lenox and Corning, IA; John and Charlotte Agnew, of Creston, IA. and a

great-aunt, Bernice Preston Smith of Creston, IA.

Memorials may be made to AMI of Iowa, 5911 Meredith Drive, Urbandale,

IA. 50322.

Condolences may be made on line to www.caldwellraddatz.com.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2006

Russell, Karen Kay Hunter -

Funeral services for Karen Russell, age 65 of Decatur, Arkansas, formerly

of Prescott, Iowa who died Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at the N.W Medical Center in

Springdale, Arkansas were held Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the United

Methodist Church Corning with Reverend Andy Rubenking officiating. Interment was

held in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Corning. Memorials can be directed to the

Corning Fire Department or the United Methodist Church. Please leave a message of

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

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral

Home of Corning.

Karen Kay Russell was born July 10, 1941, in Prescott, Iowa the daughter of Albert

Hunter and Wilma Mary Williams Hunter, however, she was raised by the only father

she really knew, Harold Eugene Walter. She grew up in the Bridgewater and later

Prescott areas attending school. On October 4, 1958 she was united in marriage to

Boyd Russell. Four children were born to bless this union, John, Kathy, Rita and

Douglas. The couple lived in Prescott until 1981 when Boyd's health required the

family to move south. They went to Oklahoma where they lived until 1986, when they

moved to Decatur, Arkansas. Karen worked as a dietary manager for many years,

retiring a couple of years ago.

Boyd passed away in 1998. Karen was always a very compassionate woman. She

loved, and was loved, by everyone. She was passionate about animals, especially

horses. Her first horse was "Beauty" and her second one was a Palomino named

"Babe", who was her best friend growing up. In later years, Karen's passion was

crocheting. She lovingly made blankets for all of her family. She also enjoyed reading

Stephen King novels and watching scary movies. She was known as her 'husband's

right-hand-man' on the farm, doing whatever she could to help out.

Karen was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Williamson Unit No. 719.

Left to cherish Karen's memory are her parents, Harold and Wilma Walter of

Prescott; four children, John Russell and wife Kady of Lenox; Kathy Davidson and

husband Louis of Decatur, Arkansas, Rita Wood and husband Everett of Kansas,

Oklahoma and Douglas Russell and wife Ann of Greenwood, Arkansas, one

brother, Roger Walter of Prescott, one sister Marcia Almquist and husband Gary of

Ellston, Iowa, two half brothers Arlin and Allen Hunter, 13 grandchildren and

9 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Karen in death was her father Albert, husband Boyd, and great

granddaughter Payton Porter.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2006

Stephenson, Joe Roe -

Joe Ree Stevenson was born, September 10, 1911 in Clearfield, IA to Ora and

Essie Wood Stevenson. He departed this life, Sunday, July 30,2006 at the age of 94.

Joe attended country school and graduated from Atwood Kansas Community

High School in 1929. On November 11, 1931 he married his high school sweetheart,

Minnie Lou Patterson. They were blessed with three daughters, Donna (Karl)

Keenan of Bolivar, MO.; Jeannine (Guy) Hampton, Leon, IA.; and Judy (Bill)

Mozingo, Grant City, MO.

The couple farmed in Colorado for a few years, then moved to the Clearfield area

in 1938. Joe was an excellent row crop farmer and also raised cattle, hogs, and sheep.

He and Minnie Lou were involved with their daughter's school activities and he especially

enjoyed attending Judy's basketball games, never missing a game for 4 years. Joe

was a 50-year member of Noble Masonic Lodge No. 458, also a 50-year member of

Eastern Star, Cornelia Chapter.

He was a member of the Clearfield Lion's Club and enjoyed driving the shuttle bus at

the Iowa State Fair and helping with the 4th of July parades.

Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was a faithful member of the Clearfield

Christian Church, serving as an Elder and Chairman of the Board for several years. He

enjoyed raising beautiful roses, decorating with lights for Christmas, drinking coffee at

Lenox and Clearfield, and traveling. Minnie Lou became ill and died in 1977.

In 1978 Joe and Evelyn Morey were married. They enjoyed traveling together and

visiting grandchildren. He was never happier than when attending Evelyn's

grandchildren's various sports events and received the "Lenox High School Fan of the

Year" award. The couple was able to enjoy each other for several years until Joe suffered

a heart attack and stroke at the beginning of 1998, which curtailed their activities. However,

they were still able to live at home until July 2004 when they entered Clearview Home.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Minnie Lou; parents; 3 brothers, Harry, Noble and

Friend and one sister Birdie Sramek.

Joe is survived and will be greatly missed by wife, Evelyn, his 3 daughters, 6

grandchildren, Curt (Lynette) Morey, Richard "Skip" (Sherry) Morey, Jeff Mozingo,

Melody (Kevin) Hill, Cheryl (Dave) Plate, and Karen Keenan; 12 great-grandchildren;

4 stepchildren; Jim (Shirley) Morey, Ft. Collins, CO., Ed (Georgia) Morey, Bentonville,

AR., John (Donna) Morey,. Essex, IA., and Myrabel (Allen) Lillie, Mesa, AZ.; 10 step

grandchildren and 8 step great grandchildren.

Also surviving is sister-in-law Mary Stevenson, Tribune, KS and many nieces

and nephews.

Joe Stevenson, a kind and gentle man, will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Services were conducted Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at the Clearfield Christian

Church by Rev. Eydie Stephens.

Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, IA.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2006

Weese, Mary Ann Michal -

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Weese, age 71, of Lenox who passed away on

Monday, August 28, 2006 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston were held

Thursday, August 31, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox.

Interment was held at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Please share your

memories with the Weese family on our web page, www.ritchiefunralhome.com

under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of

Lenox.

Mary Ann (Michal) Weese was born April 18, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska the

daughter of Victor Michal and Bernice (Champion) Michal. The family moved to a

farm near Blockton in 1941. Mary grew up attending rural schools at Gay No. 8 and

graduated from the Blockton High School with the Class of 1953, After high school,

Mary attended college in Maryville for two years. On June 2, 1956, she was united in

marriage to Dean Weese at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox. After their

marriage the couple lived in Lenox where Mary taught school for two years in

Prescott. Mary took a break from teaching to be home with her three children Mike,

Mark and Deanna. Once her children were all in school, Mary returned to Northwest

Missouri State University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree. She then

taught in the Corning School District for twenty-eight years, retiring in 1996.

Mary was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox where she was

active in the Altar Society and a Ladies Sorority. She was also a member of the

Arbor Day Foundation. Mary enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, tending to her

flowers and constantly planting trees. Her true passion was in education.

She wanted each of her children and grandchildren to be educated. She also

enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking with her rolls being 'quite popular'. Mary was

known to have a tremendous sense of humor and a wonderful perspective on life.

She enjoyed supporting the activities of her children and grandchildren.

Left to cherish Mary's memory are her loving husband of 50 years, Dean

Weese of Lenox; two sons, Mike Weese and wife Jerolyn of Council Bluffs; and Mark

Weese and wife Patty of Bedford; a daughter, Deanna Sweeney and husband Vince

of Lenox; two brothers, Jack Michal of LeRoy, Kansas and Dennis Michal and wife Pat

of Council Bluffs; and seven grandchildren, Brandon, Benjamin, Victor, Elizabeth,

Adam, Tyler and Michal; along with many other family members and friends in the

community.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents Victor and Bernice Michal; and a

brother Robert Michal.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday September 6, 2006