Emma Rachel Powell

Emma Rachel Powell
July 27, 1916 - January 07, 2011
Keota, Iowa
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. January 10, 2011 at Powell Funeral Home, Keota
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. January 11, 2011 at United Church of Faith, Keota
Interment: January 11, 2011 at Wellman Cemetery
Emma Rachel Powell was born July 27, 1916, in Latour, MO, the daughter of Thomas L and Nancy Schrock Byler. At age 12, the family moved to a ranch in western Kansas. She graduated from high school in 1934 in Garden City, KS, she attended Hesston College Academy for 2 years and graduated from Laura A Kindsy School of Nursing in 1938. After graduation she worked as a surgical supervisor in the operating room at Goshen Hospital and later other types of nursing. On January 22, 1939 Rachel was united in marriage to Lewis J. Powell in Goshen, IN at the Goshen College Mennonite Church. She worked with Lewis in the family business, and was an integral part of Powell Funeral Homes. They also provided ambulance service for the area for many years. She helped plan and organize weddings for many years. Rachel was a member of the Mennonite church for many years and a member of the United Church of Faith in Keota. She was a member of the Keota Community Club, Fort Nightly Club and a trustee of Lagos Acres Country Club. She served on the Wilson Memorial Library Board for 12 years and on the Pastoral Care Board at Parkview, since 1989. She was a stamper and an avid golfer, scoring 2 holes in one at Lagos Acres. Rachel died peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, January 7, 2011 at Parkview Manor in Wellman at the age of 94 years. Rachel is survived by 2 sons Jared Powell and wife Jacque of Williamsburg and Paul Douglas Powell and wife T.J. of Wellman; 8 grandchildren: Leslie Renner, Jennifer Brown, Allison Pryce, Kimberly Doehrmann, Shawn Powell, Aaron Powell, Paul Powell and Taylor Powell; 14 great grandchildren; a sister Nadine Yoder and husband Mike of Conyers, GA; a brother Robert Byler of Tuscon, AZ; and a sister-in-law Lois Byler of New Paris, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lewis in September 1989; daughter Nancy Adams; great grandson Addison Powell; and 5 brothers John D. Byler, Gerald Byler, Glen Byler, Rolland Byler and Vernon Byler; and a sister Hilda Martin. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the United Church of Faith in Keota. Rev. Dennis Hopes and Rev. Ron Kennel will officiate. Burial will be in the Wellman Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Monday at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota. A memorial fund has been established for United Church of Faith; Parkview Manor Chaplaincy Program; Wilson Memorial Library, and Lagos Acres.