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

Alexander, Bernice Miller -

Bernice Alexander, 76, formerly of Lenox, died Wed., Nov. 22 at Eppley Care Center in Omaha, where she had lived for the past three months.

Her funeral was Saturday at Larkin-Bender Funeral Home, with Rev. W.C. Trembly officiating.

Burial was in West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

A memorial was established for the Eppley Care Center.

Mrs . Alexander was born March 11, 1902 near Sedalia, Mo., to Augustus and Harriett Miller. On April 9, 1938, she married Carmon Alexander at

Burlington Junction, Mo. The couple moved to a farm northwest of Lenox where they lived until her husband's death Feb. 19, 1965. She then moved

to Council Bluffs where she lived until entering the Care Center in August.

She was a member of the Lenox American Legion Auxiliary and an active member of the First Baptist Church of Council Bluffs.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her two sisters and one brother preceded her in death.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday  November 29, 1978

 

Beemer, Benjamin Kennard -

Funeral services for Benjamin Kennard Beemer, 7 day old son of Terry and Lorelei Beemer, Conway, were held Nov. 3 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home,

officiated by Rev. Glen Mitchell. Interment was in Conway Cemetery.

Benjamin was born at Corning October 25 and died November 1 at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Neb. after four days of severe illness.

Ben is survived by his parents, a brother Jacob Beemer of the home, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Beemer, Conway, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Combs,

Gravity, great grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Sim Beemer, Conway, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Longfellow, Bedford, Mrs. Sylvia Combs, New Market, and several

aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 15, 1978

 

Davis, Delmar -

Delmer Davis, 57, of Omaha, Nebr., died Wed., Jan. 10 at a nursing home there after a long illness. He was a former resident of the Corning and Lenox communities.

His funeral was at 1 p.m. Friday at Roeder Funeral Home in Omaha. The body was brought to the Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox where visitation

was held Friday evening.

Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, the Rev. W.C. Trembly officiating.

Mr. Davis was born at Carl, Iowa, October 31, 1921, the son of Everett and Irma May Kirkpatrick Davis.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Ambrose Davis, a son, Dallas of the home, two daughters, Tamara Davis of Omaha, and Linda Monjarez in Wisconsin;

two grandchildren; his mother, Irma Davis in Washington State; a brother and five sisters.

His widow, Lucille, is the daughter of Mrs Lizzie Ambrose and a sister of Reldon, Jasper and Karl Ambrose, all of Lenox.

Pall bearers assigned were Roy Martin, Reldon Ambrose, Jasper Ambrose, Howard Stoaks, Garland Walter, and Frank Buechter.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 17, 1979

 

Gordon, Earl Lovett -

Funeral services for Earl Lovett Gordon, 86, of Lenox, were held December 1 in Larkin-Bender Funeral Home in Lenox with Rev. Jack Cutbirth of the Lenox First Christian

Church officiating. Mr. Gordon died November 29, 1978 in Rosary Hospital in Corning. Interment was at West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Earl Lovett Gordon, the son of A.L. and Olivia Carter Gordon was born on October 8, 1892 in Taylor County, Iowa near Lenox.

On December 25, 1914 he was united in marriage with Bertha Preston at her parents' home near Lenox, Iowa. Three children were born to bless this union: Darold, Russell, and Verlee.

At an early age he united with the Blue Grove Christian Church of which he was an active member until he moved to a farm north of Lenox where he then placed

his membership with the First Christian Church in Lenox.

He was preceded in death by his parents and also by a brother, Vernon.

Earl is survived by his wife, Bertha; two sons: Darold and his wife, Vesta, of Creston and! Russell and his wife Connie of Sharpsburg; a daughter, Verlee Eckels and her husband, Lew, of Lenox; ten grandchildren and seven grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday December 6, 1978

 

Hardin, John F -

Dr. John F. Hardin of Bedford, who had practiced in Bedford since the 1930's, died early Tuesday morning, Jan. 16 at his home in Bedford.

Dr. Hardin, who was 72, had maintained his practice up until the time of his death. He was a veteran of World War II.

Funeral arrangements were pending at press time with the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in charge.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 17, 1979

 

Hines, Esther M Bubb -

Mrs. Esther M. Hines, age 62, died Thursday, December 7, 1978 in Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, following an extended illness.

She was born at Lenox, Iowa on July 23, 1916, the daughter of Alonza and Elsie Einfeldt Bubb.

On October 14, 1932, she was married at West Liberty, to Lester J. Hines.

She was a member of the First Church United, the Royal Neighbors and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband, three sons, Lester J. of Batavia, Illinois, Harvey D. of Moline, Illinois and Randal D. of West Liberty; two daughters

Mrs. Raydene Lozano of West Liberty, and Mrs. Phyllis DeLap of Rio, Illinois; one brother, Harlan of Bellflower, California; four sisters, Dorothy

Bubb, West Liberty, Irma Braymen of Clarinda, Clara McKinney of St. Louis, Mo., and Lola Marble of West Lake Valley, Calif. 12 grandchildren and

two great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 11 from the First Church United, West Liberty, with Rev. Ralph Farmer officiating. Burial was in the

Oak Ridge Cemetery under the direction of the Snider Funeral Home.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday December 20, 1978

 

Knox, Alberta Owens -

Alberta Owens, daughter of Edwin L. and Mary Owens was born near Winfield, Iowa March 23, 1893 and died December 8, 1978 at Clearview Nursing Home

in Clearfield.

She was united in marriage with John C. Knox December 24, 19I3. Her childhood was spent in eastern Iowa moving to near Clearfield at the age of twelve. She joined the United Presbyterian Church and attended faithfully as long as her health permitted. Her membership was transferred to the United Methodist Church, Clearfield, upon closing of the United Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother and three brothers. Those of her loving family surviving are her husband John, a son, Lyle, and two daughters, Mrs. Maxine Stevenson and Mrs. Hazel Lundberg of Denver, Colo., a daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Owens of Ellston, la., besides many kind neighbors, relatives and friends.

Services were December 12 at Varner Funeral Home in Clearfield. Pall bearers were Allen Brown, Ronnie Brown, Randal Wilson, John Wilson, Donald Stephens and Robert Mc- Math. Pianist was Roberta Lockhart and Pastor Kevin Hoffman officiated. Interment was in the Clearfield Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday December 20, 1978

 

Licare, Velda Wray -

Leo Wray received word Sunday of the death of his sister, Mrs. V.J. Licare of Redwood City, Calif. The funeral was Wed., Nov. 29.

Mrs. Licare was the former Velda Wray, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wray, residents of the Salem neighborhood.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday December 6, 1978

 

Nelson, Wendell M -

Mrs. Berdice Welty and Mrs. Emily Knotz of Lenox and Mr. John Hayes of Creston accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Harley A. Porter to Winterset Friday

morning. There they attended the funeral of Mr. Wendell M. Nelson.

Mr. Nelson was the only child of the late Roy and Nellie Nelson. He was born and raised in Lenox.

He is survived by his wife Ruby and two children, Dr. Richard Nelson of Denver, Colo, and Mrs. Connie Cline of Lincoln, Nebr., and five grandchildren.

Interment services were held at the Greenfield Cemetery. Mrs. Welty and Mrs. Knotz are cousins of Mr. Nelson.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 22, 1978

 

Nelson, Wendell M -

Funeral services for Wendell Nelson, 66, Madison County's first magistrate court judge and a businessman in Winterset for many years, were held November 17 in the Winterset First Christian Church with Rev. David Livingston officiating.

Mr. Nelson died at his home November 14, 1978. He was retired and had been in ill health for two years. Interment was at the Greenfield (la.) Cemetery.

Nelson owned and operated the Gamble department store in Winterset for about 30 years and became associated with the General Life Insurance Company

of America in 1963. He also held a license as a National Security Dealer Association broker.

In 1972 Nelson became the first magistrate court judge in Madison county and served in that capacity until in 1977. He was a past member of the

Winterset Rotary and was affiliated with the First Christian Church of Winterset.

Born in Lenox, Iowa on November 11, 1912, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nelson, Wendell Nelson was married to Ruby Connell of Greenfield on May

31, 1933. She survives her husband.

Also surviving is a son, Dr. Richard Nelson of Denver, Col., a daughter, Mrs. John (Connie) Kline of Lincoln, Nebr., and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 29, 1978

 

Orr, Jennie Elizabeth (Libby) Leonard -

Services for Mrs. Elizabeth Orr, 80, former resident of Lenox were at the Larkin-Bender Funeral home Sunday, Nov. 26, Jack Cutbirth and Don Jensen, ministers of the Christian Church officiating. Ruth Boltinghouse was organist and Larry Leonard vocalist. Interment was in West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Mrs. Jennie Elizabeth Leonard Orr, was born in Taylor County Iowa on August 24, 1898 to William and Alice Leonard. She died Friday, Nov. 24, 1978 at the Rosary Hospital in Corning.

She was united in marriage with Leslie Orr in the early part of 1920 and they lived on a farm southwest of Lenox for many years. Later, they moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., in the early forties. After her husband's death she returned to Corning, la. where she made her home at 205 Tenth Street. Elizabeth was a member of the First Christian

Church in Corning, and was baptized in the Blue Grove Christian Church in 1900.

"Libby" loved children and took care of the young nieces and nephews at various times.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters and one brother.

She is survived by two brothers, Lloyd Leslie Leonard of Corning, la., and Lee William Leonard of Carthage, Ill.; two nieces, Leona Minnick and Wuanita Thirlwell and eleven

nephews, and many grand nieces and nephews.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 29, 1978

 

Reimer, Cleo Wilt -

Mrs. Cleo Reimer, 88, of Creston died Monday at Crest Haven Care Center there.

Graveside services were conducted Tuesday at W. Fairview Cemetery, Lenox, the Rev. Gretchen Graf officiating.

Mrs. Reimer was born December 8, 1899 in Creston to Nora Jones Wilt.

August 7, 1912 she married Reimer. He preceded her in death June 6, 1946.

She had worked as a teacher in the rural schools of Platte Township of Taylor County, and the couple farmed in the same county for many years.

After her husband's death, she moved to Creston, and worked several years at the old Greater Community Hospital.

She leaves a daughter, Loretta Fraser of Hopeville, Ga., a son Herman Reimer of rural Afton, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa  Wednesday December  6, 1978

 

Rhoades, Bertha Mary -

Funeral services for Bertha Rhoades, 88, of Creston will be held today, January 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Larkin-Bender

Funeral Home. Rev. William Trembly will officiate.

Interment will be in West Fairview Cemetery.

Mrs. Rhoades died Sunday, January 14 at Creston.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 17, 1979

 

Rhoades, Bertha Mary -

Services for Bertha M. Rhoades, 88, were held at Larkin-Bender Funeral Home Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1979, the Rev. W.C. Trembly officiating. Norma Paymal was organist.

Casket bearers were Haldene Campbell, George Nelson, Lyle Nelson, Ray Hewitt, Alford Nicholson and Tom Neuhardt.

Interment was in West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Bertha Mary Rhoades, the daughter of Newton and Mary Jane Gillespie Rhoades, was born on December 16, 1890 in Page County, Iowa.

Bertha lived her entire life in Iowa except for a short time in Nebraska. Many years were spent teaching in the rural schools in the Lenox vicinity. She began work in about 1936 at the Glenwood State School for the handicapped and lived there until her retirement at which time she moved to Creston.

Bertha was a long time member of the Lenox United Methodist Church and was honored several years ago as a 60 year member.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, A.R. Rhoades and by two sisters: Mrs. Lila Boone and Mrs. Fannie Chandler. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Survivors are one nephew: Robert Rhoades of Lenox and nine nieces: Mrs. Glenna Kitchell of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Duane Pitt of Westmister, Colorado; Doris Boone of Alaska; Mrs. Stanley Binkholder of Herman, Missouri; Mrs. John Davenport of Creston; Mrs. Francis Routh of Diagonal; Mrs. John Garrick of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Curt Ostrem of Ames and Mrs. Francis Moyle of Lenox. Bertha is also survived by one sister-in-law, Mrs. A.R. Rhoades of Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday January 24, 1979

 

Smith, Cleo -

Mrs. Joe Neuhardt received word on Wednesday, Nov. 8 of the sudden death of her stepbrother, Cleo A. Smith of Moline, Ill., from a heart attack.

Cleo was the youngest son of the late William W. Smith, and lived west of Lenox until he was a young man, then moved to Illinois.

Surviving are his wife, four children, four grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Elta Lawson of Pittsburg, Texas; and step-sister, Mrs. Joe Neuhardt.

Mr. and Mrs. Neuhardt of Lenox, and Mrs. Marty Moore of Villisca attended the funeral Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Milan with burial in Moline, Ill.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 22, 1978

 

Walter, Roland Algy -

Services for Roland A. Walter, 79, were held at Larkin-Bender Funeral Home Monday, Dec. 4, the Rev. W.C. Trembly officiating.

Pall bearers were Bill Wilson, Alford Nicholson, Bob Reynolds, Don Sanders, Tom Bender and Walter Brokaw.

Honorary bearers were Donald Tyler, Glen Lickliter, Orville Bricker, Paul Davis, Alfred A. Adolphson, Orval Walter and Glen Hale.

Music was by Norma Paymal, organist. Masonic rites were conducted by Tremont Lodge No. 343, and military rites by Parkinson Post No. 250 of the American legion.

Interment was in West Fairview Cemetery.

Roland Algy Walter was born on an Adams County farm near Lenox on October 15, 1899. He was the son of Jacob J. and Minnie Brokaw Walter, and died

on November 30, 1978 in Lenox.

Roland was united in marriage with Katherine Cox in Rock Rapids, Iowa on June 16, 1926. He attended the Lenox schools, Simpson College and the University of Nebraska, and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and a life member of the Nebraska Alumni Association. He was a 50 year member of the Methodist Church; 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, Consistory and Shrine; 50 year member of the American Legion and was a member of the Iowa Historical society, and had served as a Republican precinct committeeman in Adams County for 16 years and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from the 7th Congressional District of Iowa in 1948.

Following his army service in World War I and college he was an officer and director of the First National Bank in Lenox and served as postmaster during President Hoover's

Administration.

He reared his family on a farm in Adams County during a span of 22 years as a farmer feeder. He was commissioned a United States Marshall for Southern District of Iowa in 1953, by President Eisenhower and served during his term of office. He was appointed as a member of the Third Judicial District Nominating Commission by Governor Robert

D. Ray in 1970.

Roland retired from farming in 1967 and since that time has resided in Lenox. He is survived by his wife Katherine; a son, Roland C. Walter, D.D.S. of Iowa City,

Iowa; and two daughters, Janet (Mrs. Allen O.) Perrier of Palm Springs, California, and Joan (Mrs. Donald L.) Hall of New Port Beach, California. In addition, there are six grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Gerald Fleming of Mesa, Ariz., and Mrs. William Layland of Audubon, Iowa.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday December 6, 1978

 

West, Grace Leighton -

Funeral services for Mrs. Marion S. West, 76, of Coining, wore hold November 10 in the Corning United Methodist Church with Rev. James King and Rev. Ray Thompson

officiating. Mrs. West died in Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Corning November 7. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Grace Leighton West, daughter of Alla Jacob Leighton and Estella Osborn Leighton was born May 8, 1902 at Clarinda, Iowa.

Grace was united in marriage March 4, 1926 at Corning to Marion S. West. To this union two children were born: Mrs. Vincent Sullivan and Gerald L. West.

She received her education in the Taylor County Schools, graduating from Bedford High School, later attending Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Drake

University, Des Moines. She taught school in Taylor and Adams County, Villisca Community Schools and Lenox Community School, retiring in 1966.

She was active in the Church, United Methodist Women's organization. Home and Garden Club of Departmental Department and the Rose Ann Auxiliary.

Her hobbies were varied and many, the latest being quilting and china painting.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Harold and Merrill.

Survivors are her husband, Marion; daughter Glenna; son Gerald, L.; son-in-law Vincent; daughter-in-law Madeline West; grandchildren, Tina and Charles Larson, Russell and

Marie West, Jo Anne and Marian West, Joseph Sullivan, Ann and John Coulter, and Georgia Sullivan; one brother, Lowell Leighton; three sisters, Mrs. Paul (Ruth) McMahaon, Mrs. Glen (Vera) Harrison and Mrs. Russell (Velma) Hanes.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday November 15, 1978