Newman, Z. Eileen

Z. Eileen Newman, 97, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at Rock Ridge Residential Care Center in Shellsburg. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Alburnett United Methodist Church, by the Rev. H. Burr Bryant. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery, Troy Mills.

Survivors include her daughter, Juanita “Nita Rae” (Bob) Womack, Centennial, Colo.; three grandchildren, David (Holly), W. Dan (Pam) and Eric (Jackie); five great-grandchildren, James Daris, Madison Eileen, Nolan R, Alec Jonathon and Jennsen Marie; a sister, Betty Cole, Idyllwild, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews, including Harry G. (Helen) Powell Jr., Troy Mills and Necia Powell Hasbrook, Salem, Ore.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Daris; a sister, Oma Powell; and a niece, Ardys Powell Zimpfer.

Eileen was born Dec. 24, 1911, to Ryal Wylde and Myrtie Bea (Howe) Michael, in Troy Mills, Iowa. She graduated as valedictorian from Walker High School in 1930. After a summer session at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, she taught in Linn County country schools for five years. She married Daris D. Newman on July 26, 1935, in Michigan. He died Oct. 26, 1995. She was a charter member of the Alburnett Book Exchange Club (1939) and Alburnett Garden Club (1961) and was a member of Tuesday Club, Seniors Luncheon Club, Tuesday Breakfast Club, Alburnett Community Historical Society, Alburnett UMW, and the Alburnett United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the Rock Ridge staff and Hospice of Mercy staff and volunteers for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Alburnett Community Historical Society, 106 S. Main St., Alburnett, IA 52202, or Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233.

Please sign the online guest book for Eileen at    under obituaries.