Mabel Ruth Van Horn

Mabel Ruth Van Horn, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, formerly of Knoxville, IA, died Sunday, August 24, 2008, at the home of her daughter in Mt. Pleasant. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Drakesville, IA, Methodist Church with the Rev. Pat Youngquist officiating. Burial will be in the Drakesville Cemetery. Friends are invited to a luncheon with the family at 11:30 a.m., in the church fellowship hall. Memorials have been established to the Methodist Church. On-line condolences may be sent to www.olsonpowell.com. Friends may sign the register at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant from noon until 6:00 p.m. on Monday and from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Wednesday. The daughter of Harry C. and Ella C. Burris Bell, Mabel Ruth was born on August 3, 1919, in Belknap, IA. She graduated from Bloomfield High School. On April 24, 1938, she married Derward Van Horn in Bloomfield, IA. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1981. Following high school graduation, Mabel Ruth taught in rural schools in the Bloomfield area. She always helped her husband in the family business, first on the farm and then with a general store in Cantril, IA. In 1955, the couple purchased Davis Paint and Gift Store, which they ran until their retirement in 1978. Since becoming ill four years ago, Mabel Ruth has resided with her daughters. An active member of the United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Mabel Ruth had served as the president of the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed spending time in Mesa, AZ, at Coronado Park, where for 25 years she helped with projects, directed the kitchen band, and was the president of the woman's club. Mrs. Van Horn is survived by two daughters, Joyce and her husband Paul Dennison of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Cynthia and her husband David Stover of Johnston, IA. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Lisa and her husband John Lagos with their children, Morgan, Mitchell, and Madison of Centerville, VA, Laine Dennison and his wife Shauna with their children, Kris and Kadie of Lisbon, IA, Paul Stover and his wife Jen, with their children, Sydney and Jayden of Ankeny, IA, and Paige and her husband Tim Hruska, with their daughter, Sierra of Ojai, CA, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. Along with her husband, Mrs. Van Horn was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Leota Glotfelty and Wannetta Brazelton.