Memorials

 

Lora Beth Wilson

Services for Beth Wilson, age 91, of Paullina who passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Prairie View Home in Sanborn will be 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Friends Meeting House in rural Paullina.

The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/events/397142642672352/  Visitation with the family present will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Paullina. Burial will be at a later date at the Friends Cemetery in rural Paullina. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the Friends Meeting House in rural Paullina.

Beth Wilson died on January 24, 2024 in Sanborn, IA. Daughter of Walter and Emma (Larson) Henderson, Beth was born on September 23, 1932, at her grandparents’ home near Gaza, Iowa.  After going to Gaza Elementary School, she graduated high school from Scattergood Friends School in West Branch, IA, and went on to study music at the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, SD.

She married Ernest Wilson on June 30,1951, at the Paullina Friends Meeting. The couple farmed near Sutherland, IA and re-located to Webb, IA for five years before moving to Paullina, IA in 1959 where they raised their family.

Beth was a devout Quaker and regularly practiced her belief in being of service to others in her community and the wider world. In the 1960’s, she organized a summer program, bringing inner-city children to local host families for two-week farm experiences. In 1987, she joined a delegation of women who visited the USSR as part of Peace Links, a volunteer organization empowering women to work towards abolishing nuclear weapons and promoting conflict management. She served in various positions supporting the Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends, including clerk, and as a representative to the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

She believed strongly in the power of education and remained a supporter of Scattergood Friends School, serving on and chairing the school board for a number of years. An avid reader, Beth also served as a board member of the Paullina Public Library.

In her later years, Beth spent time enjoying her many interests including quilting, gardening and painting. As a loving mother, grandmother and friend, Beth developed and maintained a large network of friends and family.

Beth is predeceased by her husband, her parents and her siblings, Rolland Henderson and Mary Kimelman. She is survived by her children, Dan (Lorna) Wilson, Colin (Carla) Wilson, Holly (Alan McMahon) Wilson and Brent (Penney) Wilson; her brothers, Thomas and Phillip Henderson; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Judy Plank

Judy Plank, 80 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

There will be a Memorial Service at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com

Judy Ann Juhl was born on December 14, 1942, the oldest child of Howard ‘Bud’ and Jean (Stowater) Juhl of rural Remsen. Judy grew up on the family farm between Marcus and Remsen. She had fond memories of her childhood pet Holstein milk cow, ‘Coke’.

She started school at Meadow Township county school and when it closed, she then attended Marcus Public School and graduated in 1960. She then attended Westmar College in Le Mars for one year. While at Westmar, Judy met her husband to be, Kenneth Paul Plank. They were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa on December 27, 1961.

Twenty years later she graduated with a BA degree in sociology from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN. She later also received an associate degree in accounting. Judy’s sporadic work history included: working in a welfare department briefly, in a residence for the mentally handicapped for three years, and primarily providing childcare in her home.

Judy and Paul enjoyed traveling, from Costa Rica to Alaska. At a young age, Judy was always an avid reader. This led her to writing prose and poetry. It also culminated in the writing of her autobiographical published book, Paradise Still Has Snakes. She enjoyed gardening and having her hands in the dirt. She also enjoyed baking and sharing her ever-present zucchini bread.

Judy’s spiritual journey led her to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). As a member of the Paullina Friends Meeting, she served on many committees and was also actively involved in the Iowa Yearly Meeting. She was a longtime member of the Northwest Iowa Peace Links.

Judy was always a champion for the downtrodden. She described herself as a progressive/socialist peace activist and was an avid protestor. Her strong belief in peace, nonviolence, and social justice was the guiding light in her political and social involvement. After Paul’s retirement, they began wintering near Douglas, Arizona. There she was at the founding of Healing our Borders, a group attempting to stop the increasing deaths of migrants crossing the borders and to change the nation’s immigration policies. She attended weekly vigils remembering those who perished at the border and handed out blankets to protect migrants from the cold. Judy was also proud of the work she did co-facilitating teaching ‘Alternative to Violence Project’ workshops at the Ford Dodge Correctional Facility. She was also a part of the ‘New Roads Reentry’ team helping men back into society following a prison sentence.

Judy was an active member of the Plymouth County Democrats. She was not afraid to knock on doors or hold up a sign on a street corner for her cause.

Judy’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

Judy will be lovingly missed by her husband, Paul; son: Kipp Plank of Sioux City; 4 grandchildren: Nick Plank, Lacey Overman, Athena Marshall (Mason Bakker) all of Le Mars, and Rick Plank of Lidgerwood, ND; 4 great grandchildren: Jade, Alex, Boston, and Pierce; brothers: Mark (Cheryl) Juhl and Dale (Faith) Juhl both of Remsen, IA; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kristine Redhouse; and granddaughter in law, Jen Plank.

Alberta Kisling

Alberta Kisling passed away at the Brookdale Middleton Stonefield memory facility in Madison, Wisconsin, on September 12, 2023. Her children Randy, Lisa, and Jeff were with her. Her son, Jon, was not able to arrive in time because of the sudden change in her condition.

She was born in Whittier, Iowa, on May 7, 1931, to Albert and Lorene Standing. Mom’s brother Wilden is no longer living. Her brother, Ellis, lives and farms in the Bear Creek, Iowa, community.

Her husband and life partner, Burton Kisling, died in 2018. We were continually amazed at how many things they were involved with, including various roles in Quaker communities and organizations both locally and nationally. And the depth of their involvement together as true partners.

Their journey began with farming in Iowa and continued as Dad steadily moved up through the Farm Service organization, eventually being the manager for the entire state of Iowa. Most of those promotions meant moving from place to place. They always became actively involved in each new community. Building deep friendships in each of them. Dad would usually be involved in things like the Chamber of Commerce, and Mom would be involved in social activities, sometimes acting in plays.

We were so blessed when every summer they would take us camping in various national parks, though everyone’s favorite was Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

Mom, her parents, and her children all attended Scattergood Friends School, a Quaker boarding high school. She served on the Scattergood School Committee for over twenty years. They were both very involved in the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). As a result of lobbying for peace and justice legislation, they were on a first-name basis with Iowa’s US Congressional delegation.

She spent years as a very successful real estate agent, winning the Million-dollar award for home sales multiple times. She was an exceptional hostess, and she and Dad delighted in organizing zany games and dressing up. At an FCNL Annual Meeting, Joe Volk said he heard a rumor that they were going on tour as Phyllis Diller and Fang.

Mom was a painter, a prolific writer, and a collector of stories about her family, and all the things she and Dad did throughout their lives. Sad though it is, we are comforted by memories of her and Dad as wonderful parents. As we sort through old photos and letters, we are delighted to discover many things we hadn’t known.

It is a priceless gift that Mom wrote much of her life story, which can be found here: The Story Now Begins 

Carolyn Ardith Smith Treadway memorial

Carolyn Ardith Smith Treadway, 88, lately of Friends Care Community in Yellow Springs, Ohio, died a little after noon on July 15, 2022, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Born on September 17, 1933, at Emro Farm near Coal Creek, in Keokuk County, Iowa, she was the first of four children of Irving and Mary (Emmons) Smith.

She married Allen Frank Treadway at Coal Creek Friends Meeting on June 15, 1954. They were married for more than fifty years and raised five children. Allen died on May 19, 2005. Carolyn married Paul Wagner on November 24, 2006, at Yellow Springs Friends Meeting. They were together until Paul’s death on July 25, 2012.

A graduate of Scattergood Friends School near West Branch, Iowa, and of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, Carolyn had a talent for happiness wherever she was. She took part in bird counts for The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. She was an avid gardener and knew about edible wild plants and the best times to pick them. Dandelion leaves joined homegrown lettuce on the family table every spring.

Carolyn was a natural caregiver. She used her gift in many settings–in hospital work, in clerical work at Friends Committee on National Legislation, and then in her own growing family. After her children had all started school, she worked as City Clerk of Earlham, Iowa, and served on the Scattergood School Committee, where her voice was appreciated as one of calm reason. Friends remember her as a great, kind, strong presence in the world.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, and her sisters, Evelyn Mavromichalis and Margaret Lacey. She is survived by her brother Steven Smith of Claremont, California, her children and their spouses: Daniel Treadway of Iowa City, Iowa; Brian Treadway and Geraldine Glodek of Nova Scotia, Canada; Dorothy and Samuel Matthews of rural Belle Rive, Illinois; Jennifer and Vince Peters of Chicago, Illinois; and Michael Irving “Irv” Treadway of West Branch, Iowa. She is also survived by Paul’s children: Gordon “Pop” Wagner and wife Thea; Gary “Bodie” Wagner; and Suzanne Wagner. She will be missed by six grandchildren and their spouses: Christina Peters and Ravi Shankar, Andrew and Amber Peters, Stephen and Esther Matthews, Philip Matthews, Mary Matthews, and Joseph and Joanna Matthews, as well as three great-grandchildren. The family is thankful to Tim Morand of Yellow Springs for his kindness to Carolyn in her last years.

Carolyn donated her body to the Wright State School of Medicine.

Two memorial services are planned. The first will be on Saturday, August 13 at 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time in Westminster Hall at the First Presbyterian Church, 314 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs, Ohio. The second service will be held on Saturday, August 20 at 10:30 AM Central Daylight Time at Scattergood Friends School, 1951 Delta Avenue, West Branch, Iowa. If you would like to attend either service via Zoom, please contact Dan Treadway at treadway@netins.net.

John Griffith Obituary

John Griffith, 99, died on March 27, 2022, in his home in Gladstone, Missouri. John was born in Columbia, South Carolina, 12/12/22, the second son of Robert Carl Griffith and Bertha Scott Griffith. He had two brothers: Robert Carl (Jr.) and William Garrett. John’s father was a Methodist minister and the family lived in seven different towns during his youth.

John’s residence in South Carolina ended in 1942 when he was sentenced to 30 months in Federal prison for refusing to register for conscription. He was both a conscientious objector to war and to the concept that government has the right to conscript its citizens to kill fellow human beings. John was released from prison “unconditionally” after serving 24 months. He again refused to register for conscription in1948 when conscription was reinstated. This time the government ignored his civil disobedience.

After prison, John attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa where he met Reva Standing. John and Reva were married in 1947. Reva was a lifelong member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) and John adopted that community as his spiritual home. They had four sons: Christopher, Timothy, Jonathan and Benjamin – all born in Iowa. Reva died 11/5/2003, Chris, was murdered in 1986. This experience led John and Reva to become vocal advocates for abolition of the death penalty. John’s professional life was with farmer cooperatives. He and Reva attended meeting for many years at the Penn Valley Meeting of Friends in Kansas City.

Surviving John and Reva: Timothy (Cheri Oehme), Jordan, Stephanie; also, Tim’s children by a former marriage, Jason, Alison; Jonathan (Jeri Burhans); Benjamin (Patricia Barnes), Treva, Carrie; and seven great-grandchildren.

John leaves us with these words: “As many before have articulated; birth, life and death are all integral to the natural life process. Also, as many have observed, the residue of our acts lives on in the lives of those we have influenced producing, as it were, a sort of hand-me-down immortality. Yet, I am convinced that there is something more: that human consciousness is independent of the body and that the death of the body is not an ending of consciousness – It is rather a passing. Into what? I confess that I do not know, but I have a deep, abiding trust in the Divine Ground of all existence that the major world religions have variously called God, Mind, Allah, Tao, etc.

My parting wish for my friends is that they nurture compassion and walk humbly in the presence of Unfathomable Mystery.”

At John’s request there will not be a formal memorial service, but he would want his friends to celebrate his life in whatever way they wish. If you wish to give a memorial gift, John suggests a gift to the Penn Valley Meeting of Friends (Quaker) Meeting House Fund, 4405 Gillham Rd., K.C. MO 64110

Owen J. Newlin Obituary

The celebration of Owen life was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are now ready to hold a service, unless local health guidelines don’t allow it.  Masking guidelines will be followed.

Owen was a lifelong Quaker, and the service will be held in the style of unprogrammed Friends worship.  The service will begin at 2 pm, followed by a reception.

The family will be available for visiting from 1 to 1:50 pm prior to the service, and following the service during the reception until 5 pm.

Location: Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa

If you are unable to attend, there will be a livestream option available at the Iles Funeral Home online guestbook at https://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/. Once there, search for Owen Newlin for the livestream option.  For updates regarding the service please visit the Iles Funeral Home website at Des Moines, IA | Iles Funeral Homes.

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February 6, 1928 – July 12, 2020
Resided in Des Moines, Iowa

OBITUARY
Owen J. Newlin died on July 12, 2020, at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, IA. Born February 6, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, Owen dedicated his entire life to his family and helping farmers feed the world. While a student at Iowa State University, he met Doris Jean (“D.J.”) Coxon, and they were married on July 19, 1952. They had four children. Newlin was elected vice president of Pioneer Hi-Bred International in 1978, senior vice president in 1986, and he retired from Pioneer in 1993. He served as a director of the company from 1963 to 1999. He received a B.S. in Agronomy and a M.S. in Crop Production from Iowa State University. He also earned a Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics from the University of Minnesota in 1955. He was a 1974 graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.

Newlin joined Pioneer in 1955 as a research assistant in the production department of the Central Division. He became production manager for the division in 1964 and served as president of the Central Division from 1967 to 1978. As senior vice president, Newlin had responsibility for the finance, information management, human resources, and seed production operations of the North American Operations group.

One of Newlin’s most important contributions was his decision in 1971 as President of the Central Division of Pioneer, to substantially increase the planned production of hybrid number 3780 very early in its introduction. He and his team convinced the company to make an enormous jump from 10,000 bags to 500,000 bags in one year. Newlin believed so strongly in the performance of the product that he was willing to take the risk, and it paid off. Pioneer sold over 20 million bags of hybrid 3780 over its 17-year period allowing the company to dramatically increase its market share for many years. It was an achievement that was realized because research, production, sales, and distribution all worked effectively as a team.

Newlin was a long-time board member of the American Seed Research Foundation serving as president in 1982-84. He was also chair of the Corn and Sorghum Division of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) in 1975-76, Past Chair of the Subcommittee for ASTA Strategic and Allied Sponsors and served as president of ASTA from 1985-86. He was named an honorary member of ASTA in 1991 and received the first and only Lifetime Industry Achievement Award from ASTA in 2016.

He was a board member of the U.S. Grains Council from 1970 to 2002 and served as its chair in 1978-79. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Grains Council in 2005. In 1975, 1976, and 1977 he raised funds from agribusinesses to support a referendum for a Corn Check-off in Iowa. After two unsuccessful efforts, in 1977 the Iowa Corn Growers Association passed a Corn Checkoff. Over the next few years, he also raised funds to support similar successful referendums in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Ohio. He raised funds to support three unsuccessful referendum efforts in Indiana. In 1987 he was given the Distinguished Award from the Iowa Corn Growers Association. In 1993 Newlin received the President’s Award from the National Corn Growers Association, and in 2011 he received the first Iowa Corn Growers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Newlin served two six-year terms on the Board of Regents, State of Iowa and was president for eight years. From 1978-1983 Newlin was the chair for the Committee in Support of New Agronomy Facilities at Iowa State University. He was president of the ISU Achievement Foundation from 1985-1986, and he chaired the successful ISU Partnership for Prominence campaign from 1988-1993. He was a member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. He received the Iowa State University Alumni Recognition Medal, the Floyd Andre Award for Contributions to Agriculture, the Distinguished Achievement Award in 1988 and the Alumni Merit Award for outstanding contributions to human welfare in 1990. He is a Sustaining Lifetime Member of the ISU Alumni Association and Past Member of the ISU Memorial Union Board of Directors. He received the Order of the Knoll Campanile Award in 1993 and the first True and Valiant Award as well as H.A. Wallace Award in 2008. In 2017 he received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement and Service Award from the ISU Seed Science Center.

Newlin was a 39-year trustee of Simpson College and served as chair of the board of trustees from 1985-1993. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Simpson in 1993. He was a 54-year member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines and as its president in 1987-88 led a successful effort to induct its first 10 women as Rotary Club members. In 2009 he received a Lifetime Service Award from the Rotary Club of Des Moines. He was involved with United Way of Central Iowa serving as its annual campaign chair in 1979-80 and board member for 5 years including board chair in 1983-84. Newlin received the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame Award from the Governor’s Volunteer Advisory Council. He chaired the Human Services Coordinating Board of Des Moines in 1986-87. He was a past member of the board of directors of the American Mutual Life Insurance Company (Des Moines), NationsBank, N.A. (Des Moines), Iowa Methodist Medical Center (Des Moines), and Farm Foundation (Oak Brook, IL). He received the Iowa Business Hall of Fame Award in 2000. He was a board member of the Iowa Seed Association from 1967 to 1974 serving as president in 1972-1973. In 1985 he was named an honorary member of the Iowa Seed Association and received an Honorary Life Member Award from the International Seed Federation in 1996. He was named a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2001. Newlin was a member of the Sigma Xi Honor Society, a distinguished member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and a member of Cardinal Key, Alpha Zeta & Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Societies. He was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity and received their Master Builder of Men Award in 1998. In 1981, Newlin served as chair of the National Sponsors Board of the Future Farmers of America Foundation. In 1981 he received that organizations Honorary American Farmer Degree, and in 1988 Newlin received the VIP Citation from the National Future Farmers of America.

He received the Friend of Agriculture Award in 1981 from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Chapter of the National Agricultural Marketing Association (NAMA). In 1983 he received NAMA’s Agri-Marketer of the Year Award. In 1995 he received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota.

Owen is survived by his wife Doris Jean, his children, Tamara (Ed) Gregori of Fort Collins, CO, John (Patty Carton) Newlin of Brunswick, ME, and Christine (Rick) Kovach of Scottsdale, AZ, ten grandchildren, Paul (Maria) Gregori, Rebecca (Andrew) Hill, Eric Oransky, David (Mary) Oransky, Kari Oransky, Mitchell Newlin, Joseph Newlin, Daniel Kovach, Nicholas Kovach, Alison Kovach, and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Ruth (Owen) Newlin, his sisters Emily (Newlin) Bay and Vesta (Newlin) Hansen, and his daughter Janet Newlin.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Sunday, May 23, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center Research Fund, United Way of Central Iowa General Fund, Unity Point Health Foundation Medical Education and Research Fund, and the Des Moines Valley Friends Meeting General Fund.

Harry Fitch Olmstead III Obituary

“We are sad to announce the death of Harry Olmstead, a member and past clerk of Iowa City Friends Meeting. Harry was a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. He will be missed by the Iowa City community.”

Harry Fitch Olmstead III was born April 2, 1950, in Norwalk, CT, the only child of Harry Fitch Olmstead Jr. and Harlena Mildred Olmstead (nee Bolton). He was born with a rare disease and doctors said he wouldn’t live past infancy. He beat the odds and lived until age 71. In high school (Brian McMahon High, 1969), he discovered his passions: the Quaker faith, photography, and progressive politics. For college, he went to UW-Milwaukee (1976, BS in recreational therapy). While there, he founded Boy Scout troop 37, which was specifically for differently-abled young men. In 1973, his daughter was born. His career in the boy scouts moved him to Illinois where his son was born in 1978. Then to Michigan in 1980, where he was involved with Quaker Meeting and politics, working to end apartheid in South Africa. In 1992, he joined Teach for America and went to Los Angeles. Through them, he taught in Louisiana and later in Alabama where he finished his Master’s degree. In Alabama, an infection from surgery forced his leg to be amputated. This led to his focus on disability rights. In 2009, he moved to Iowa City. He continued his political activism until his health got the better of him. He passed peacefully with his daughter at his side in Des Moines, IA on July 2, 2021. Harry was a great asset to every community he lived in, always being a voice for the voiceless. He won many awards for his tireless volunteer work, too many to name here. He is survived by his daughter, Heather Fitch Olmstead Hall Sylaj (Sadik), and his son Harry Fitch Olmstead IV. His family would like to thank the staff of the Cardiac Critical Care Unit at MercyOne Medical in Des Moines for their compassion and care. They would also like to thank Mayor Bruce Teague, Shawn Harmsen, and David McCartney for always being there for him. Thank you to Barb Stein for all she did for him and the family. Due to coronavirus and distance/time constraints, there will not be an in-person memorial. In lieu of flowers, cards/donations can be sent to the family to help with end-of-life expenses at: Heather Sylaj PO Box #5 Chilton, WI 53014.

Donald William Mott obituary and memorial

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Graveside Memorial Service

Donald William Mott 1924 – 2020

Paulina Friends Meeting Cemetery

4468 Silver Ave., Paulina, IA

Tuesday, July 20, 2020 11:00 AM

Some seating will be provided but we ask people to bring their own lawn chairs if possible.

After the service relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation and lunch at the Mapleside Community Building.

This service will be recorded and will be available on The Overton Funeral Home, Indianola, Iowa website in the days following the service

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Donald William Mott was born to Francis and Frances (Binns) Mott on the Mott family farm near Paullina, Iowa, on December 17, 1924.    He died of COVID-19 at The Village retirement community in Indianola, Iowa, on December 18, 2020, at the age of 96 years. 

Don’s early schooling took place at Dale Township #7 and then at Gaza School. His high school years were split between Gaza School and Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio. His sophomore and senior years were at Olney where he graduated in 1942. In 1943 he studied for one year at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Don enjoyed sports — he played basketball at Gaza and football at William Penn.

Following school, Don registered for the draft as a conscientious objector and did Civilian Public Service (CPS) work from 1944 to 1946.  During this time, he served at several work camps.  First, he worked doing trail work at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.   Second, he took part in a medical study of a pneumonia virus at Pinehurst, North Carolina. Third, he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation on an irrigation project camp near Trenton, North Dakota. Fourth, he was assigned to serve on a firefighting crew at Glendora, California.  Don’s final assignment was at the Independence State Hospital in Independence, Iowa, where he served as an aide. 

After his CPS work, Don returned to Paullina to help his father on the family farm. He married Dorothy Livezey, an Olney high school classmate, at the Stillwater Friends Meeting House in Barnesville, Ohio, on October 4, 1947.   When confronted with the compulsory peacetime draft of men for the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948, Don elected to protest and become a non-registrant. He was arrested and served eight months at the federal prison near Springfield, Missouri.  It was during this sentence that his first son, David, was born.

Don and Dot moved to Barnesville, Ohio, in 1951 where Don was employed as a farm manager at Olney Friends School for two years.  In 1953, Don and Dot moved to Costa Rica to join friends and family in the Monteverde Quaker Community where Don’s primary work was in the sawmill.   

Don and Dot returned to the family farm in northwest Iowa where Don farmed and worked at other jobs in the community. Don was employed by the O’Brien County Co-op Creamery (later AMPI) in Sanborn, Iowa, from 1958 until his retirement in 1985.  During this time, he worked as a fieldman monitoring milk quality, installing milk storage equipment, and performing refrigeration repairs.  In 1972 Don and Dot moved off the farm to a home in Paullina. Don and Dot became active in the American Field Service student exchange program, and during the 1973-74 school year, Andrew Brown of Birmingham, England, joined the family.  Don and Dot moved to The Village retirement community of Indianola in 2001. Following Dot’s death in 2006, Don continued living at The Village until his death. Don greatly appreciated the additional nursing care provided by his daughter Deb during his later life

Don was an active, lifelong member of the Society of Friends (Quaker) at Paullina Monthly Meeting and attended the Village Quaker worship group.   He had a wide variety of interests and hobbies.  He loved all music, but especially big band music and his son Dennis’ musical performances. Don spent his retirement years repairing and riding bicycles. Along with numerous family members, he took part in many local bike rides and several RAGBRAI rides, including the 1974 RAGBRAI where he rode with his father, Francis, and son, David. He restored the family Farmall F-12 tractor.  He co-owned a Cessna plane with his son, Daniel, and he liked flying. He and Dot spent 20 winters camping in the southern states, primarily in Texas and at Gulf Shores, Alabama.    

He is survived by his 4 children and their spouses: Dave and Carrie Ash-Mott of Ivins, Utah; Deb and Stan McCreedy of Ainsworth, Iowa; Dan Mott and Barb Busch-Mott of Cherokee, Iowa; Dennis and Julie Mott of Davenport, Iowa; and AFS student son and wife, Andrew and Emma Brown of South Wales, UK.  His grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Maria and Greg Hanson and their children Elizabeth and Peter of North Liberty, Iowa; Eric Mott of Iowa City, Iowa; and Jason, Angela, and Dorothy Mott of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  He also is survived by his sister, Muriel Neifert of Richfield, Minnesota; sister-in-law Millie Crosbie of Pella, Iowa; sister-in-law Bertha Brown of Woodland, North Carolina; and sister-in-law Carol Livezey of Frostproof, Florida. 

He will be missed by his many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy (Livezey) Mott, who died August 13, 2006; his parents, Francis Mott and Frances (Binns) Mott; his sister and brother-in-law Hubert and Mildred (Mott) Mendenhall; brother-in-law James Neifert; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Jackie Mott; and son-in-law George Miller.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Good Shepherd Fund at the Village, 1203 N. E St., Indianola, IA 51025, Friends Committee on National Legislation, 245 2nd St NE #5795, Washington, DC 20002, Paullina Friends Meeting, c/o PO Box 605, Paullina, IA 51046 in Donald’s name. 

Vimeo video ‘Mott, Donald’ posted by Jeff Petersen

Charles Wesley Day Obituary

Charles Wesley Day

Des Moines – Peace within through meditation, peace without through peace and social justice action.

Charles Wesley Day, 83, passed away on Friday, March 12th, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center from complications due to congestive heart failure.

Charlie was born June 24, 1937, in Fargo, North Dakota. In early childhood his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Rice Elementary and Callanan Junior High schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1956.

Charlie continued his studies at the University of Iowa, and while an undergraduate, wrote for The Daily Iowan, receiving the Conger Reynolds Award in Journalism. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1960 (B.A. with Distinction, in Psychology and Journalism), and earned advanced degrees from U. of I. in Clinical Psychology in 1962 (M.A.) and 1964 (Ph.D.).

His professional life was involved in the private practice of psychotherapy, psychology, consultation, and teaching in Los Angeles, CA; Des Moines, Iowa; Laguna Beach, CA; Mumbai, India; and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Most recently, he practiced at the Des Moines Child and Adolescent Guidance Center.

In 1994, Charlie founded the Des Moines Meditation group. He taught meditation as a way to grow psychologically and spiritually, and Buddhism as a way of life and philosophy compatible with all religions. Many central Iowa meditators participated in his classes and retreats through the meditation group, as well as in courses on mindfulness offered through DMPS Community Education. For over 50 years he was a student of Buddhism, and studied spiritual and mystical traditions in Japan, Thailand, India and the U.S. He was a wise, humorous, challenging and compassionate teacher and guide.

After retiring in 1998, Charlie was active in Des Moines Valley Friends Quaker Meetings; Contemplative Alliance—Global Peace Initiative of Women; the Friends House, Inc. Board; Iowa Peace Monument Committee Board; Ecumenical Peace Committee of Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Friendship of Reconciliation Delegation to Israel and Palestine; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Board; American Friends Peace Education Committee; and Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee, as well as in Democratic politics.

In 2000, he formed a meditation group at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville, Iowa and led weekly meetings and occasional retreats at the facility. Charlie provided help as a crisis phone-line volunteer after the Oklahoma City bombing, and later served as a mental health volunteer in New York City following the 9/11/01 World Trade Center attack. For his work, he was honored with a “Heroes of the Heartland Award” from the American Red Cross.

For over 20 years Charlie attended monthly meetings of the Synergy Spiritual Book Group and the Talent, Limited drama group, and weekly get-togethers of the Vegetarian Dinner Group, which he fondly referred to as “The Weed-Eaters”. He was also a regular participant in the DMARC Monday morning book study group. Over his lifetime he was a world traveler, and journeyed to Europe, Mexico, Russia, China, Egypt, Turkey, the Caribbean Islands, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Israel, Palestine, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Charlie’s loving and generous nature allowed him to give freely of his time, talents, and resources; his family, his friends, his favorite causes–and complete strangers– were grateful beneficiaries.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Myrle Day; his sisters Patricia Day Gibson and Jacquelyn Day Kollings; and his brother-in-law, Tom Kollings.

Surviving are his niece, Jennifer Groh and his nephews: Kevin Kaupp, Jonathan Gibson, Michael Kollings (wife Carol), Scott Kollings (wife Jenifer), and David Kollings. Also surviving are their children: Megan Tell (husband Brett), Jenna Brownlee (husband Jack), Erin Kollings, (husband Justin Darling), Jessica Simo (husband Matthew), Kelli Kollings (husband Benjamin), Jacob Sutherland (wife Ashley), Matthew Groh, Olivia Day, Jack Kollings, Luke Kollings: great-grand-nephews, Mason and Evan Tell, Ben Brownlee, Grayson Sutherland; great-grand nieces, Elle Brownlee, Loretta and Noa Darling, Wesley and Eleanor Simo.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” planned for Charlie in early Summer 2021

As a gesture of remembrance, wherever you are, give $5 to someone you see on the street, one of Charlie’s signature acts of generosity.

Rest in peace, Charlie.

Shane Rowse Obituary

Shane Rowse, 55, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on September 17, 2020. He was born on November 10, 1964, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Delbert Rowse and Cheryl M. Spear (née Martinson). Shane was an artist, an educator, a gentleman, and a scholar. He was active in the Kansas City theater community and designed lighting for the American Heartland Theater, Kansas City Actors Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, OwenCox Dance Group, and many others. He was also the lighting designer for A Christmas Carol at Missouri Repertory Theater for fifteen years. Shane had an artist’s eye and crafter’s hands which he put to use in his many hobbies including photography, astronomy, and kite-flying. He is survived by his loving wife Marianne (Spruell) Rowse; children, Ian and August; mother, Cheryl; brothers, Bret and Seth Rowse, and many extended family members.

A memorial celebration and toast to his life will be held October 3rd, 2020 at 6:00 pm at the Performing Arts Center at UMKC.  It was live-streamed.

“Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still.”

Mary Ellen Tjossem Obituary

MARY ELLEN BOTTORFF TJOSSEM
May 7, 1936 – September 10, 2020

Mary Ellen Bottorff Tjossem, age 84, of Primghar IA, passed away on September 10, 2020 at Prairie View Healthcare in Sanborn, IA.
Mary Ellen was born to Rex William and Helen Carlson Bottorff on May 7, 1936 in Pomona, California and grew up in Harcourt, Iowa. She graduated from Harcourt Consolidated School in 1954 and completed her three-year nurse’s training at Iowa Methodist Hospital/Drake University in Des Moines in 1957. She met Galen Robert Tjossem while they were both working at Iowa Methodist Hospital and they were united in marriage February 23, 1958 at the Harcourt United Methodist Church. They made their home on the farm outside Primghar, IA where they raised their 3 sons. Mary Ellen worked as a nurse at the Hartley Memorial Hospital. 
Mary Ellen was extremely involved in the Paullina Friends Meeting and Peace Links. She was an avid quilter and spent many Thursdays with her beloved quilting group at Mapleside. 
She will be remembered for her light-hearted spirit, her quick laugh, her sense of humor, her never-ending energy, her wonderful hugs, and her ready support. She was known for her cooking and her awesome pies, cookies and cinnamon rolls. 
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Galen, her sons, Mark of Primghar, Bruce (Barbara) of Richfield MN and Steven (Christine) of Minneapolis MN; her 3 grandchildren, Kari of New York NY, Kyle (fiancé Ashle) of Brooklyn Park MN and Hanna of Minneapolis MN; her sister, Louise Opheim of Stuart IA, her brother, Dan (Susan) of Westfield NJ, her sister-in-law, Eunice of Ann Arbor MI and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ralph.

 Alzeheimers Poem.docx [drive.google.com]
 Bruce Eulogy.docx [drive.google.com]

Jeffrey Lee Cox Obituary

Dear Friends,

It is with heavy heart that we report the sudden passing of our beloved Friend Jeff Cox, who died early Sunday morning in the University of Iowa Hospitals.

A faithful member of Iowa City Monthly Meeting and Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) for nearly thirty years, Jeff has served our communities in more ways than we can begin to recount.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 14 from 4-6 PM at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, February 15, 1:30 PM at Hickory Grove Meeting House, Scattergood Friends School near West Branch. A reception will follow in the main building.

Please hold Jeff’s wife Lois and his children Flossie and David in the Light in this difficult time.

---

Obituary for Jeffrey Lee Cox

Iowa City – Jeffrey Lee Cox, loving father, husband, scholar, and activist, passed away February 9th in Iowa City.

Visitation will be Friday, February 14, 2020 from 4 to 6 PM at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Hickory Grove Meeting House, Scattergood Friends School, near West Branch. A reception will follow in the main building. A family committal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Friends Meeting (Quakers), the Free Medical Clinic, ACLU of Iowa, or Riverside Theater.

Jeff was born on October 14th, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Dr. Jack Ray Cox and Lillian Emily (Shutt) Cox. When he was very young, his parents moved to Teague, Texas, where he lived until graduating from high school as valedictorian of the class of 1966. In high school, he was chair of the Goldwater for President campaign, participated in football and basketball, and edited the school newspaper. Jeff always treasured his Texas roots and took great pride in being a Texan. He was a lifetime subscriber to The Teague Chronicle.

Jeff graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rice University, Houston, Texas, in 1970, with a BA in history and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was active in student government at Rice and gave an anti-Vietnam War address at his graduation.

Jeff received his PhD in British History from Harvard University in 1978. While he conducted research for his dissertation, he and his wife, Lois, lived for two years in London, where they became enthusiastic devotees of live theater. Late in life, he became an opera buff.

In 1977 Jeff started his academic career at the University of Iowa, where he remained until death. Classroom teaching was one of his favorite activities. An active member of the American Association of University Professors, he served as chair of the History Department from 1993 to 1996 and as president of the Faculty Senate from 2002 to 2003. He published four books and many articles on aspects of the social history of religion.

Religion was important in Jeff’s life not only professionally but also personally. His family was active in the Southern Baptist denomination, and he remained a member of it until early adulthood, serving as a missionary in Vietnam during one of his college summers. In the 1980s, he joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) and became an active member of the Iowa City Friends Meeting and of the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative).

Jeff’s political activism and progressive principles gave him a prominent and influential voice in the life of the community. He actively recruited candidates for local office and articulated a positive vision for progressive change in Iowa City. A longtime Democratic Party activist, he served as chair of the Johnson County Democrats and as a member of the Iowa State Central Committee. Jeff always described himself as a democratic socialist. For more than 30 years he co-edited a widely read community newsletter, The Prairie Progressive.

Jeff’s relationship with his children was the highlight of his life. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lois (Kincheloe) Cox; his two brothers, Andrew and Russell; and his two children, Flossie (Eleanor) Ruth Cox, of San Francisco, California, and David Martin Cox, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com

Jean Sandstrom memorial January 4, 2019

Dear Friends –

I want to let you know that our beloved Friend  and DMVF Co-clerk Jean Sandstrom has passed into the light. How we will miss her.

Andy and Family will update us with memorial arrangements as they become clear, though it is likely that the services for her will be planned for Saturday, January 4.

Please continue to hold her family in the light. You can send cards to Andy Shaffer, Neal and Noemie, to 3927 Waveland Drive, Des Moines, IA 50311.

Thank you, All, for the beautiful love and care that you shared with Jean and her family during her illness.

Ann Robinson

Des Moines Valley Friends, Co-Clerk

A Quaker memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. in Waveland Hall at Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Burt Kisling Memorial

Dear Friends,

It is with deep sadness that Bear Creek Friends share news of Burt Kisling’s passing on March 21, 2018. With his kind heart and welcoming spirit, he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Birdie, Jeff, Jon, Randy, Lisa and the extended family, as we hold them in the Light. A memorial service of remembrance for Burt Kisling will be held at Bear Creek Friends Meeting, near Earlham, Iowa, on Saturday April 14th at 10:30 a.m., with lunch following worship. in peace, Jackie Leckband on behalf of Bear Creek Friends

Memorial            Photo Gallery

Wanda Knight obituary

Wanda Florene (Standing) Knight, 90 of Indianola formerly of Earlham passed away at her home on Sunday, July 22, 2018. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 31st at the Bear Creek Friends Meeting House, rural Earlham. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bear Creek Friends Meeting House.

Wanda was born to Arthur and Lydia Standing on April 30, 1928 in Earlham, Iowa. She and her sister Reva, older by two years, grew up on a farm in Earlham, Iowa, where their family attended Bear Creek Meeting and was part of the Quaker (Society of Friends) community.

In high school Wanda attended Scattergood Friends School, where she met Roy Paul Knight. The two were students at William Penn College for a short time before being married on August 30, 1947, in the Bear Creek Meetinghouse. The following year their first child, Ronald Pat (1948) was born, followed by Pamela Kay (1950, married Tom Madden), Paulette Ann (1954, married Jim Green), Nicholas Scott (1961, married Carrie Harris), and Thomas Kurt (1964). 

After living for some time in Indianola, the Knights moved to the century farm where Wanda had grown up in Earlham and where they grew alfalfa and raised livestock. Roy established the Knight Building Company, and Wanda helped with the business while running the household. She was active in the arts community and loved to draw, paint, sew, and sing. She was involved with the Society of Friends throughout her life, including working with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).

Wanda and Roy moved to the Wesley Village in Indianola in 2001. After Roy died in 2005, Wanda continued to enjoy friends and family and was an active part of the Village community. 

Wanda was a loving spirit with an enormous heart. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was an inveterate jokester and prankster. She was a mother and friend to many. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. 

Wanda is survived by her five children and their families, including fourteen grandchildren and a bevy of beautiful great-grandchildren, as well as her brother-in-law John Griffith and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Roy, her sister Reva, her sister-in-law Frances Lee, her brother-in-law Laverne, and others.