Under the Water Tower Lovilia News

So sorry, but you can not send emails to me, Susan Beary- blog writer as it says on our opening page.

I sincerely apologize for this. But my blog Manager and I decided to stop emails because we were bombed by dozens of emails daily that were sales pitches, porno ads, spam, you name it.

In order to contact me with news please call: 641-946-7952. If you get my answering machine, leave your name and number and I will call you back.

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Thanks for reading!

Geraldine went by “Jerry” and lived at Milo, Iowa and she died Dec. 28, 2019. Her parents Verla and Hazel Martin had a farm years ago west of Lovilia. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Gwen (Bob) Sims of Russell, Iowa; and Arlene (John) Wilson of Lovilia.

She is survived by her husband Larry; daughter, Holly; son, Larry; and two granddaughters.

She learned to drive a tractor when she was six years old, milked cows, baled hay, gardened, canned, and cooked. She credited her parents for teaching farm management and starting in 1968 she owned and operated a farm herself.

Jerry loved country music so much she met many of her favorite singers and got their autographs at their live concerts. She also loved gospel music.

Married at age 19, the next eleven years she and Larry traveled the USA, Canada , and Mexico in dance competitions with the Suzy-Q Square Dance Club.

Once her children were in school, she earned a degree at Drake University with emphasis on psychology, sociology, and art. Learning was always important to Jerry.

She had wide interests including: motorcycle riding and camping; hosting a foreign exchange student from Chile for two years; chaperoning Drum and Bugle Corps shows; volunteering for Tom Harkin campaigns, and helping with a juvenile center in Indianola, Iowa.

Her work off the farm was varied and wide in range from being a secretary to the Iowa Supreme Court Clerk to being a floral arranger for Hyvee.

She was buried Jan.4, 2020 at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Indianola. Celebration of Life service is planned for the spring. Memorial contributions are directed to Kiya Koda Animal Rescue in Indianola and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

May she rest in peace.

Shirley Anne Gray Obit

Shirley, age 79, who lived on a farm west of Lovilia, died January 21, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center.

She was born Feb. 11, 1940 in Moravia, Iowa to Loren (Bud) Walter and Ardis (Callen) Walter. Shirley graduated as salutatorian from Moravia High School with the class of 1958.

On March 7, 1959 she married Delbert Gray of Lovilia. They shared 57 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2016. They had three children: Brad (Denise) Gray of Albia, Shelli (Kevin) Parmenter of Overland Park, Kansas, and Lisa (Brian) Scala of Albia.

Some of her talents were cooking, reading Plat Books, raising horses and especially her Tennessee walking horses. She loved the farm and was active in its day-to-day operation with both grain and livestock.

Notably, Shirley started work with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation in 1974 where she was the first female crop adjuster in the United States. She was recognized as a “female pioneer” as the first woman hired as Supervisor in Charge of the South-Central District as a crop adjuster for FCIC. In addition to her work, she was a Master Gardner.

Her three children and seven grandchildren survive her.

Visitation is Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with family there from 3-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. at Tharp Funeral Home on Saturday, Jan.25, 2020. Pastor Brad Gray officiating. Burial will follow services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lovilia, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association and the Albia Animal Clinic for stray animals.

May she rest in peace.

February 3, Monday, Democrat Caucus in Lovilia

All Democrats or those who want to register at the caucus as a Democrat are asked to attend. It will be held at the Lovilia Community building for those in the precinct that vote there on election days.

Doyle Chamberlain will be the temporary chair to start out the meeting. Doors will be open to sign in starting at 6:15 p.m. Doors close and no one else can come in to participate at 7 p.m. That is the rule of the state Democratic party. If you are in the line waiting to register at seven you will get in. This is very important, you must be there in line by seven or you can not be in the caucus.

Mark your calendar to attend and help choose the candidate to run for President for the Democratic Party.

Feb. 13 Valentine Dinner in Lovilia

Lovilia Community Betterment will be hosting a Valentine supper at the Lovilia Community building Feb. 13rd , Thursday, from 5-7 p.m..

The menu is: lasagna , side salad, garlic bread, and dessert.

Meals cost: $8 per person for a regular serving

$10 per person for a large serving

$ 5 per child who is age 9 or younger

All are welcome!

Marilyn, age 86, died Tuesday, Jan. 7,2020 at the Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa.

She was born to Everette and Madge (Wilson) Sterling at the their home in Marion County on August 10, 1933. In 1935 the family moved to Monroe County where she lived the rest of her live.

Marilyn attended Lemon country school and graduated from Lovilia high school with the class of 1951.

She was joined in marriage with Gerald “Jud” VandenBerg in Knoxville, Iowa on Feb. 7, 1953. They had four children: Darla, Kenny, Russ, and Jaxine. Jud passed on Dec. 20, 1982

Marilyn and Jud owned and operated Vans Kennel. They sold dogs of many breeds nationwide. She later was a teacher’s aide, employed at Ragtime as an aide, and worked at Cindy’s Beauty Hut.

Marilyn had many talents such as: quilting, embroidering, writing, and journaling. She enjoyed date night with Jud, county fairs, the out of doors, decorating for Christmas, and was a faithful member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia.

She is survived by her children: Darla (Al) Stafford of West Palm Beach, Florida, Kenny (Peggy) of Albia, Russ (Becky) of rural Lovilia, and Jaxine “Jackie” (Phil) Bauer of Knoxville, Iowa. She also has 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Also, a brother Richard Sterling of Knoxville, a sister-n-law Bev Sterling of Knoxille and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law of Lovilia, Bill and Betty Weldon. Her roommate and friend at the care center, Judy Lahart, remains too.

Visitation will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Her family will be there to greet family and friends from 4-7p.m..

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 at the Trinity United Methodist church in Albia, with Pastors Roger Henry and Lynda Carlson co-officiating. Burial will follow services in Oak View Cemetery in Albia.

A memorial has been established to the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia. May she rest in peace.

Gayle Louella Hastings Obit

Gayle, age 79, died on Jan.10, 2020 at Monroe Care Center in Albia, Iowa

She was born to Vern and Pearl (Barnhill) Baker at their farm on Feb. 27,1940 in Monroe County. She attended country school and then graduated from Lovilia high school with the class of 1958.

Gayle married John Hastings at the Lovilia United Brethren Church on July 12,1959. They had four sons: Tom, Randy, Mark, and Ed. They shared 49 years of marriage and John passed away in 2008.

Gayle worked as a bank teller, Lovilia water bill clerk, and then skilled worker at Chicago Rivet in Albia from 1976 until retirement in 2002.

Gayle was a member of the Lovilia United Brethren Church, later the Lovilia United Methodist Church, and a member of Eastern Star. She liked traveling (even to Europe), Sudoku puzzles, Wheel of Fortune on tv, visits to the casino, gardening, canning salsa, and attending her grandchildren’s activities. Gayle was a wonderful cook and liked making special meals to share and especially loved time spent with family.

Surviving are Tom (Susan Wise), Mark (Kate), and Ed (Karissa) Hastings. Also she has 9 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Two sisters: Norma Barnes and Lola Ivins survive as well as four sister-in-laws: Barb Hastings, Mary Jo Hastings, Betty Baker, and Hazel Baker.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, son Randy, her parents,sister Doris, brothers: Forrest, Jim, Don, and Merrill. Preceding her were 5 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-laws.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with her family present from 5-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church. Pastor Raymond Doser officiating. Per her wishes, cremation will follow and a private burial at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery. An open memorial has been established to the family to be determined at a later date. May she rest in peace.