Lola Judy (RUSCO) MERCER

RUSCO, MERCER, CORDELL, JACKSON, YOUNG

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 8/25/2011 at 22:51:50

Bedford Times-Press
Bedford, Iowa
Thursday, November 11, 1982

Final Rites For Lola Mercer Were Held November 4

Funeral services for Mrs. Ervin B. (Lola Judy) MERCER, 81, of Athelstan, Iowa, held November 4 in Wilson-Watson Funeral Home in Clearfield, were conducted by Pastor Lewis WICKLINE and Pastor Ward CAMPBELL. Mrs. MERCER died in Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa November 1, 1982. Interment was at Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.

Lola Judy RUSCO MERCER was born in Taylor County Iowa on November 30, 1900 to Alfred and Minnie [CORDELL] RUSCO. She spent her childhood and growing up years in the Athelstan, Iowa area.

On June 8, 1920 she was married to Ervin. B. MERCER. To this union of Lola and Ervin 11 children were born, eight of whom survive. She has 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, in 1960 and three children, Raymond, Ralph [James] and Catherine; four grandchildren: Ronald JACKSON, Stephen MERCER, Debby MERCER and Elvin [Leroy] MERCER; one brother and seven sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are seven sons and one daughter; Ray and Phyllis of Bedford, Ia.; R.C. and Virginia of Shelton, Wash.; Junior and Arlene of Gladbrook, Ia.; Eugene and Joyce of Gladbrook, Ia.; Rexel of Albion, Ia.; Marvin and Betty of Great Falls, Mont.; Howard H. and Jean of Huntsville, Al.; Goldie and Howard JACKSON of Maloy, Ia.; one son-in-law, Leonard and Marie DAVIS of Clearmont, Missouri; 22 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters; Ruby Treese and Chloe YOUNG.

She will be sadly missed by her family, a host of friends and all who knew and loved her.

My mother was mortal as we must all be.
Without means she taught us to be free.
She taught us the value of spring's first flower.
The violet, wild lily, they all had their hour,
The whippoorwill call, sunset's radiant grace,
Hard time and goodtime they all had their place,
Do your utmost to be competent, and be what you can,
You do not have to surmount, love made you a man,
She made the most of the good and the best of the bad.
All she hoped for us was a life easier than she had.
Though she's not with us today her spirits not gone.
Through the children she raised her wisdom lives on.

~ By Lola's son Marvin

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2011