Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

Sunday 2-4 p.m. at the Lovilia Community Building Marty’s children hosted a lovely party for Marty. They displayed several of her beautiful hand stitched pieced and quilted by hand quilts.  Marty is stitching on some piece of sewing nearly nonstop if you know her.  She doesn’t wait for anything unless she keeps her hands busy.

Also were family photos, travel photos, and her singing groups pictures displayed to enjoy.  Many Lovilia and out of town guests enjoyed visiting and sharing birthday cake and punch.

Marty has been active in service to her community and church all her life.  She is a golden asset to Lovilia that we appreciate.  Thanks Marty and Happy Birthday!

Benefit for Teresa Conner April30th

Teresa, daughter of Bill and Debbie Conner, is fighting a bout with cancer.  There will be a benefit at the Lovilia Community Building on Saturday the 30th from 2pm start.

It will start with a buffet lunch at 2 p.m. then program followed by live music. Auction too.  All are welcome to stop and support Teresa and her family.

The trailer left town to be repaired. It is expected to be back in Lovilia in two weeks or less( that would be about April 28).  If you need to recycle before it returns, you can leave it at the recycling building in Albia.  It is located one block west off  hwy5 when you turn on the street between the AY Mc Donald factory and the new law center.  There are windows to put each category of items in. It is for drop off 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Just keep checking the Lovilia trailer site and it will be back soon for your recycling use.  Thanks for recycling.

Methodist Noodle Supper Wed. was a Hit.

The community building was well filled with happy local and out of town eaters.  Servers are cheerful and fast and the food is tastey.  Thanks to the ladies and gents of the Lovilia United Methodist Church.

New sidewalk

Plans are moving forward for the new sidewalk at the Lovilia Community building.  We received word this Monday that we received the $1500 grant we applied for to help pay for it.  Contractor, Mike Romanco,  has agreed to remove the old sidewalk and form up and pour the new one.  If all plans go forward with no hiccups we could have it all done before Memorial Day.

Funeral services were April 8th at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville. Burial was at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Lovilia.

Cathy was born October 29, 1941 to Mike and Barbara (Ahn) Gelles.  She was welcomed home by two older brothers and was baptized at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia.  She was educated in Lovilia schools and graduated with the high school class of 1960.

Her work life included:  Look Magazine in Des Moines, Ia; Griffin Nursing Home in Knoxville, Iowa; and the the VA Medical Center until her retirement.

She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Knoxville, Iowa.

Cathy was a Knoxville Raceway fan and attended races for over 50 years.  She rarely missed a Saturday race and always attended the National races there.  She was a regular visitor to the Nashville country music festival.  Another pastime she enjoyed was going to garage sales, flea markets, and other shopping.

Her son, Todd Michael, and her parents preceded her in death.  Surviving are her two brothers:  Edward Gelles of Knoxville, Iowa and John Gelles of El Cajon, California.

Marlene Papich Terrell left this message:  “So sorry to hear of Catherine’s “Kitty’s”) passing.  Her father had the shoe repair shop across the street from our family Sundry Shop/Drug Store in downtown Lovilia.  We all went to school together!  Lots of memories…..Remembering the family, John and Eddie, in your loss.”

May she rest in peace.

Lois “Maxine” Chance died April 7, 2016

Lois ,age 95, was born October 31, 1920 to Andy and Bertha (Warren) Henderson in Monroe Country.  She was the oldest of six children.  She married Leo Chance December 13, 1939 in Unionville, Missouri.  They were blessed with one daughter, Barbara.

She was a member of the Independent Bible Church of Bussey, Iowa.

Her work years were: the Overall Factory in Knoxville; and Maloney’s Mfg. Company , Albia.   After retirement  she and Leo spent several winters in Arizona which she enjoyed.  When Leo died, she moved to a home in Lovilia and later lived with her daughter.

She was preceded in death by husband Leo, brother Robert, brother Ernest, and sister Evelyn Dunkin.

Maxine is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Don) Etcher of rural Lovilia; four grandchildren:  Scott (Julie) Etcher of rural Lovilia; Sandy (Chris) McFarland of Oklahoma; Steve (Thea) Etcher of Missouri; and Shawn (Heather) Etcher of Virginia; sixteen great grandchildren;  and thirteen great-great grandchildren; and brother Paul (Jean) Henderson of Ottumwa; and Joe (Joan) Henderson of Newton and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral was April 11, 2016 at Independent Bible Church of Bussey.  Burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia.   A memorial has been established to the Independent Bible Church in Bussey, Iowa.

May she rest in peace.

I will wait.  Go get your calendar and a pen. Got it?  Here are the coming events:

April 11, Monday Lovilia Fall Festival Planning meeting at the Lovilia Comm. Building at 5:30 p.m.  New people interested in helping are welcome.

April 11, Monday Lovilia Community Betterment Meeting at the Lovilia Comm. Building at 6:30 p.m. New people interested in helping are welcome.

April 13, Wednesday, United Methodist Church is serving a Chicken noodle supper with sides and desserts at the Lovilia Comm. Building from 5-7 p.m.  Free will offering to eat in and a $5 cost per carry out dinner.

April 16, Saturday, Craft night at the Lovilia Comm. Building at 6-8 p.m. We will be making May day gift jars.  Cost is $10 per person includes all materials and snacks.  For adults and you can learn more or sign up to attend on Facebook.  Type in the search line “Lovilia craft night”.  Jessica Mansur is our instructor.  All profits support the Lovilia Fall Festival.  Come join the fun!

April 23, Saturday, Can and Bottle Redemption Collection. All proceeds support the Lovilia Fall Festival.  If you want early pickup call 891-7837 or 891-7855.  Volunteers will meet at the fire station at 9:45 a.m.  Then they will go door to door to collect or people can drop off the cans & bottles at the fire station between 10-12 .

April 25, Monday, Blood drive at the Lovilia Comm. Building from 3-6:30 p.m.  New donors are welcome and can just drop in to sign up during this time.  The blood bank says only 10 out of 100 people donate.  We can always use new donors.  You must be 16 years old or older.  16 and 17 year olds need parental permission.

April 28,Thursday, is the annual Worker Memorial Day.  This day stop and say a prayer for any worker who has died on the job.  Then make an effort at your workplace or in lobbying the legislature to make sure work places follow the best safety procedures to protect all workers.

May 7, Saturday, is the annual city wide Yard Sales in Lovilia. Lovilia Community Betterment sponsors this and puts an ad in the Albia Newspaper for the sale and distributes flyers to let people know.  Have fun and set up a sale in your yard and spread the word to come on out and shop. Most sales are open 8-12 a.m. but each person can set their own sales hours.

June 8, Wednesday, Stuffed Baked Potatoes with all the Fixings at the Lovilia Comm. Building for supper.  This is hosted by Lovilia Betterment Committee and all earnings will go towards the community buildings insurance premium and building maintenance.

New Residents Coming Soon

A lady who grew up here, Ellen Hollinrake, and her husband are planning to move to Lovilia when they are retired.  They have purchased the empty lot between the Lundstroms and the Spaurs on North E Avenue (main street).  At some point they will place a home there and we look forward to welcoming them to town.

Beverly Ann Sofranko, age 85, died March 30, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family.  Beverly was the daughter of Hayden and Eva (Anderson) Jones of Albia, Iowa and was born to them on November 3, 1930.  She graduated salutatorian of her  high school class in Albia in 1948.  Following graduation, she attended Mercy College of Nursing where she earned her Registered Nurse diploma in 1951.

Beverly married Gerald Sofranko on July 19, 1952 at Visitation Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa.  They moved to Columbus, Iowa where Gerald was stationed in the Air Force and were living there when their first child, Steven, was born.

In 1954 they returned to Iowa and moved to Lovilia.  The family was blessed with seven more children.  Beverly was a registered nurse at Monroe County Hospital for 37 years and retired from there in 1992.  Through the years she was a source of comfort and support to many friends and neighbors and patients under her care.

Beverly was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, Iowa and St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, Iowa.

She was a devoted mother, loved traveling and camping with the family, spending winters in Arizona for 13 years,  sewing, and shopping for gifts for others.

Beverly is survived by her husband of 64 years, Gerald.  Also survived by seven children:  Denise (Mark Rosacker) Sofranko, DVM; Janette (Gene Duchardt); Don; Elizabeth; Cecilia; John (Maria); and James (Monica).  She also has two grandchildren, William and Ava Sofranko.  She also leaves one sister, Betty (Paul) Clark and many nieces and nephews.  Her son, Steven, and her parents preceded her in death.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 4, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia with father Mike Volkmer C.P.P.S. officiating, and Deacon Edwin Kamerick assisting.  Burial will follow services in St. Peter’s Cemetery , Lovilia.

Visitation will begin at Sinnott’s Funeral Home, Albia at 1 p.m. , Sunday April 3rd.  There will be a Rosary at 4 p.m.  Family will be present 5-8 p.m.. Chrisitan wake at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be for either:  St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lovilia; Monroe County Hospital Foundation; or HCI Hospice.

May she rest in peace.