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Shope, Myrna Edna
Myrna Edna Shope, 89, died Sunday, Aug. 26 2012, at Promise House in Hiawatha. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, with visitation before the service at 9 a.m. at the LeGrand Friends Church. Burial will be in the LeGrand Friends Cemetery.
Myrna was born April 20, 1923, in LeGrand, to Oscar Willits and Edna (Kelsey) Johnson. She grew up on the Johnson Family Farm north of LeGrand. World War II interrupted her career at Iowa State College, when she returned to marry her high school sweetheart, Van E Shope Jr., on Aug. 8, 1942. She was a devoted farm wife, 89 year member of LeGrand Friends Church, USFW United Society of Friends Womens Group and active member of the LeGrand Lioness Club. Myrna was a talented seamstress and creative event planner.
She is survived by four daughters, Marlene (Leonard) Hadley of Cedar Rapids, Maureen (Dennis) Van Gorkom of Lake Mills, Monica Lursen of Clarksville and Martha Kay (Cody) Barnett of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Mike and Mark Van Gorkom, Christopher (Sarah) Lursen, Patrick (Kim) Lursen, April (Mike) Gruver and Monica (Steve) Childs; great-grandchildren, Kyler and Kipton Lursen, Quinn and Drake Gruver and Caden and Maci Childs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Myrna was preceded in death by her husband; a son-in-law, Larry Lursen; a brother, Maurice Johnson; and a sister, Kathyrn Louise Raymond.
For condolences, please visit . Phone: (641) 844-1234.
Memorials may be directed to LeGrand Friends Church.
Published in The Gazette Aug. 29, 2012.
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