Obituary - Melvin Elward Pence - 1922

In Memory of Melvin Elward Pence Sr.

The son of George C. and Nora May Smith, Melvin was born November 1, 1922, at Liberty, Illinois. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Waterloo, Iowa, later moving to the Whitten and Ivester areas in Grundy County, Iowa. Melvin attended rural schools in Grundy County and the Whitten High School. On August 26, 1942, he was united in marriage with Dora Marie Stover at her home in rural Grundy County. During World War II, Melvin saw active duty in the U.S. Navy where he was a Gunners Mate on an LST. He served in the South Pacific from 1943-1945. In 1945 he was honorably discharged as a Fireman 1st Class.

Following his military service, he was engaged in farming near Eldora, Iowa, for several years. Since a small farm could not support his family, he began a career as a salesman, which he continued for 35 years. From 1976-1983 he and Dora delivered motor homes nation-wide for Winnebago Industries. In 1984, he and Dora moved to Newton, Iowa to assist their son, Levi, in his funeral home. Melvin was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren in rural Gundy County; a member of the Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1655 and the Newton Moose Lodge #923.

Death came to Melvin on Friday, September 6th, 1991, in his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Kenneth, Lawrence and Harvey and by his sister, Georgia Wheat.

Those left to honor the memory of Melvin Pence include his wife, Dora; his five sons and their wives: George H. and Nancy Pence of Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida; Melvin E. Jr. and Pam Pence of Lenox, Iowa; David L. and Cheryl Pence of Earlville, Iowa; Levi E. and Barbara Pence of Newton and Alex W. and Rose Pence of Nevada, Iowa; his 10 grandchildren: Heidi Pence; Kevin M. Pence; Brenda R. and Jim Schweitzer; Kellie M. and Jacob Brown; Jeffrey J. Pence; Tammy S. Pence; Christina M. Pence; Keary M. Pence; Danny L. Pence and Lucas J. Pence; and his brother, Howard Pence of Conrad, Iowa.

Learn more about Melvin on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/melvin-elward-pence-1922.

Obituary - Lawrence Eugene Pence

Services Held For Lawrence Pence, Age 69

Lawrence E. Pence, age 69, passed away Saturday, October 31, 1982, at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at the Ivester Church of the Brethren, RR1, Grundy Center, with Rev. Arlin Claassen officiating. Burial was in Sheller Cemetery, RR, Eldora.

Mrs. Howard Cakerice accompanied the soloists, Mrs. John Dinnes and Mrs. Howard Sheller. Casket bearers were Jerry Pence, Michael Pence, George Pence, Melvin Pence, Jr., Mark Wheat and Dean Wheat. Mrs. Gerald Hess, Mrs. Virgil Mackie and Mrs. Lyle Neher were in charge of floral arrangements.

Mr. Pence was born January 12, 1913 in Jasonville, IN. He was the son of George and Nora M. (Smith) Pence. In 1925 Lawrence moved from Indiana to Iowa. While living in Indiana he enjoyed outdoor life and playing basketball. Lawrence attended Whitney high school.

His father died in 1930, at which time Lawrence and his mother took on the responsibilities of his brothers and sister. Lawrence worked for different farmers in the Ivester area where he lived and he also worked on the PWA during the depression years. His reputation was known for his willingness to accept responsibilities beyond his control.

In 1938, Lawrence and his mother entered into farming in Grundy county. In 1941, he assumed added responsibility in helping his sister raise her three children.

On November 11, 1949 at Clay City, IN he was united in marriage to Hazel I. Draper. She passed away on November 5, 1977. He resided on the 80-acre farm he and his wife bought in 1951 until the time of his death.

He is survived by one sister, Georgia (Mrs. Wilbur) Wheat, Eldora; three brothers, Harvey A. of Eldora, Howard W. of Conrad, and Melvin E. of Eldora.

He was preceded in death by one infant brother.

The Johnston Funeral Home of Conrad was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 11 November 1982, pg 3

Learn more about Lawrence on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/lawrence-eugene-pence.

Obituary - Mary Louise Traasdahl Pence Devey

Mary Louise (Mitze) Pence Devey passed away April 18, 2008 in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Mitze was born on December 13, 1924 in Grace, Idaho. She was the seventh child born to Otto Birger and Anna Pauline (Erickson) Traasdahl. She was always pleased to tell people that her parents had immigrated from Norway. Her family moved when she was a little girl to Ogden, UT where she grew up and graduated from Ogden High School.

Mitze married Harvey Alonzo Pence on June 6, 1946 in Ogden, UT following an extended letter-writing courtship while Harvey was stationed in England during WWII. They spent their married life together on a farm near Eldora, IA where they raised their five sons. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 18, 1953.

Mary Louise was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions throughout her life. Harvey and Mitze also served a mission to the Chicago Temple. She loved being the wife of a farmer and was thrilled to be the mother of 5 boys. She was especially pleased to be a Grandma and was very proud of all her family. Her interests included music, cooking, and gardening. Her yard was always beautiful and very colorful in the summertime because of all the flowers she would plant (especially her four o'clocks). She moved to Alpine, UT following the death of her beloved companion, Harvey. While living there she met and married Ranald Devey, also of Alpine, on September 16, 1995.

Mitze is survived by her five sons: Jerry (Gayle) Story City, IA; Michael (Renee) Kalispell, MT; Steve (Christie) Eldora, IA; Gary (Debbie) Waukee, IA; and Rick (Kristine) American Fork, UT, 25 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Howard and Hazel Pence of Eldora, IA, sister-in-law, Dora Pence of Newton, IA along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, her parents, her brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6-8 at the mortuary and on Wednesday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in Eldora, Iowa. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com. The family extends a special thanks to Sharon, Brittney and Justin Niswander at Lakeview Elderly Care Estate for their kind and loving care for our dear Mother and Grandmother during her last 4 years. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be given to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

--Daily Herald, April 20, 2008

Learn more about Mary on the Traasdahl Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/view/traasdahlfamilyhistory/families/traasdahl/mary-louise-traasdahl.

Obituary - Harvey Alonzo Pence

Harvey Pence, 72, ELDORA

Services for Harvey A. Pence, 72, Eldora, who died Wednesday, September 12 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marshalltown. Burial will be in the Eldora Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Creps-Abels Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established.

He was born April 12, 1918 in Eldorado, Ill., to George and Nora Mae Smith Pence. He attended school at Whitten before serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. On June 6, 1946, he married Mary Louise Traasdahl in Ogden, Utah. He farmed for more than fifty years east of Eldora. He was a member of the Farm Bureau. He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was first president of the Marshalltown Town Branch. He was a member of the District High Council and the Stake High Council in Des Moines. In 1974 he was called to serve as a Stake Patriarch. He and his wife also served one year at the Chicago Temple.

He was preceded in death by a brother and sister. Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise; five sons, Jerry, Story City; Michael, Ocean Shore, Wash.; Steven, Eldora; Gary, Alpine, Utah; Rick, American Fork, Utah; 23 grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Pence, Conrad; and Melvin Pence, Newton.

Learn more about Harvey on the Pence Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/harvey-alonzo-pence.

The Farm

The Farm (Melrose Township, Grundy, Iowa, USA)