Visitation will be 9:30a.m.~11:00a.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Funeral Service will follow at 11:00a.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Family would like to invite everyone to a luncheon immediately following the funeral service.
Ethel Vivian Ward passed away on November 26, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 104 Years, 5 Months and 19 Days.
She was born on June 7, 1920, in her family home near Missouri Valley, Iowa to Nels C. and Nora C. (Petersen) Bertelson.
Ethel graduated in 1938 from Missouri Valley High School after taking normal training. At the time she was qualified to teach country school right out of high school. She taught in Rockford and Boomer Townships for thirteen years. She also taught Sunday school and Bible school.
She and her husband Don Ward farmed. They both loved the land and worked to be good stewards of it. They were married 59 years. They moved to Missouri Valley in 2001.
Ethel was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the hospital auxiliary, a sister in Alpha Delta Kappa sorority and PEO. She belonged to Friends of the Library, Tuesday Club, and was a former member of OTO and Live and Learn Extension Club. She served on the Pottawattamie County Extension Council and was chosen Homemaker of the Year in 1973.
Ethel liked to travel and was an avid reader. She made quilts and loved listening to music and watching baseball. She enjoyed visiting, a cup of coffee and now and then a glass of Zinfandel and a good joke.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents Nels and Nora, her husband Don, her little daughter Jeannie and sister and brother-in-law Esther and Jack Bolliger.
She is survived by her daughter and son in law Jacquie and Mike Plews, grandson Kai his wife Rachel Plews, great grandchildren Dex, Ren, Gus, Asa, and Leo, cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorials can be directed to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital or the Missouri Valley Public Library.
3 Comments
Jacquie & family, your mother’s absence leaves a void in our hearts. But so many lives have been impacted by Ethel, she will never be forgotten. Truly, a class act. I will miss her and treasure our visit with her last summer. Love you, my friend.
Ethel will be missed by so many people—what a joy to have known her—she could light up a room by simply entering it—-she was such a fun and smart woman and I loved her jokes—-will see you on the other side lady—till then enjoy being an angel as you always have been
Jacquie, Mike and family,
Ethel was a true treasure to everyone she met. She had the gift of making everyone feel like he or she was the most important and loved person ever. I was lucky enough to be in her special Sunday School class at St. Paul’s, Neola, that she moved up with every year until we were confirmed. Duane was in our class, coincidence??? She and Don were the best! She remained a good friend long after I left the area. Thank you for sharing such a special lady with the white a giant heart that was loved very much!
My deepest sympathies to you all!
Lana Wohlers
Sign Guestbook