Lana Beth James

Millersburg- Lana Beth James was born October 4, 1944, in Millersburg, Iowa the daughter of Dean & Geraldine “Tiny” (Montross) Gerard. She was raised in Millersburg and dearly loved by her brothers and sisters, family and friends The Millersburg girls spent a lot of years enjoying their life together (Phyllis, Joyce, Viola, Vicki, Merna and her sisters Peggy and Twila. Lana attended school in Millersburg and graduated from Deep River Millersburg in 1962. She went on to take the activity director’s course at Kirkwood.

 On July 8, 1967, Lana was united in marriage to Walter James in Coralville. They lived in Coralville for the first seven years of their marriage before returning to the Millersburg community. She was a hard worker and had several jobs including Owens Brush Company and child care which included Carmon, Clint and Mike. When Walt and Lana moved back to Millersburg, she worked at the Hometown Café, was the director of the Millersburg Senior Dining and activity director at Hillside Estates. She made many friends at these jobs.

 Lana was a member of the Millersburg United Methodist Church, where she held various positions including Sunday school teacher and youth director. She was also a member of the Mad Hatters, Millersburg Auxiliary, Iowa County Genealogy Society and the Iowa County Historical Society. Lana died on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the English Valleys Care Center in North English, at the age of 80 years.

She is survived by three daughters Mary Jo Christian, Cheryl Heisch and Debra James (Mark Kremer); a special daughter Roberta Voelkel; grandchildren Mike (Karen) Christian, Mark (Erica) Christian, Clint Kutcher, Carmon Kutcher, Matthew (Brielle) Bummers and Josephine (Marshall) Kremer; great grandchildren Caleb Christian, Conner, Miles and Maxson Christian, Ryan (Sadie) Slaughter and Katie (Aaron) Marcotte; siblings Twila Gerard, Wendell “Butch” (Nadine) Gerard, Peggy (Marland) Schott, Ric (Ramona) Gerard and Shelly Gerard; an aunt Betty Husband; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded by her parents; husband Walt; a sister Kay Allison; parents-in-law; two sisters-in-law Tamara and Charlotte; two nephews Denny and Shannon; and two sons-in-law Marlan Christian and Kenny Heisch.

 A memorial service will be held 11:00 am on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Millersburg United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Millersburg Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to Shelly Gerard or given to Millersburg First Responders, Millersburg Fire Department, Millersburg United Methodist Church, Millersburg Senior Dining, Millersburg Library or the Iowa County Genealogy Society. Powell Funeral Home in North English is caring for Lana and her family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.