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Luella Wilson, 97, passed away peacefully April 26, 2022, at her home, Esprit Whispering Ridge Assisted Living facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Luella Marian Wall, born March 11, 1925, to Sadie and Orville Wall. She graduated from Clearfield High School as salutatorian in 1942 and continued her education for one year at Simpson College. Luella taught grade school at Woodward, Iowa, for two years.
Luella married LBanks Wilson Nov. 22, 1944, while LBanks was on leave from the Navy. They shared life together for 67 years. Following discharge from the Navy, Luella and LBanks made their home in Perry, Iowa, for a short time before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, where LBanks attended mortuary school. During this year in St. Louis, Luella worked in the office of L.B. Price and Company. After mortuary school, LBanks and Luella lived in Leon, Iowa, where they welcomed their first-born child, Colleen in 1950. After three years in Leon, they moved to the family farm south of Clearfield to be with LBanks’ father. Debra was born into the family in 1954. When LBanks purchased the Rhoades Funeral Home in 1971, LBanks and Luella moved to Mount Ayr. Luella worked alongside LBanks in the funeral home business for many years.
After the couple retired, she and LBanks enjoyed the winters in Mesa, Arizona, for 21 years. They loved taking daily sightseeing drives, enjoying the beauty of the desert and mountains. They also enjoyed traveling, which included several cruises and trips to Europe. Their favorite vacations were with family, especially in Estes Park, Colorado. Luella loved her family and looked forward to their visits. In her later years, she especially enjoyed the great-grandchildren.
Luella was a member of P.E.O. Chapter CK, American Legion Auxiliary and Mount Ayr United Methodist Church, holding the treasurer’s position for 15 years. She was also a 50 year member and past matron of Mount Ayr Eastern Star, Chapter 356.
Luella is preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Sadie Wall; brother, Richard; sister, Hazel Maharry and husband, LBanks Wilson.
She is survived by her children: Colleen (Paul) Kendle, Debra (Lyle) Brown; grandchildren: Carrie (Corby) Miller, Adam (Katie) Kendle, Nichole (Brock) Beran and David Brown; great-grandchildren: Mason Miller, Maxwell Miller, Harper Kendle, Henley Kendle, Bryer Beran and Braxton Beran.
Remembrances may be made to Mount Ayr United Methodist Church and P.E.O. Chapter CK.
Visitation will be held 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, April 29, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr. Services will begin 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Mount Ayr United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Clearfield Cemetery.