OGDEN, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are being set for 95 year old LuVerne William (Lou) Ensley from Ogden, Iowa. He passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames of complications due to a stroke.
The only child born to George W. and Edith (Junck) Ensley on September 5, 1925 in Boone, IA, his parents introduced Lou to the joys of camping, fishing, duck hunting and travel across the West. George was mostly retired from farming by the time Lou was born but introduced him to the joys and hardships of agriculture.
Lou was just 16 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He joined the Coast Guard in signing up on Armistice Day, November 11, 1943. He found himself hauling ammo and supplies between South Pacific sites. They were in Pearl Harbor preparing for invasion when Japan surrendered. Lou left the service as a Motormac (motor machinist) 3rd class, MoM3/C.
Returning to Boone after the war, Lou met young nurse-in-training Mildred (Milly) Roisen on a blind date that turned into a love affair of over 40 years. Married on March 28, 1948, Lou farmed and built the house on the homestead in rural Boone County, raising cattle and hogs in the same barn he’d help inspect as a 10-year old. Milly put her Registered Nurse’s education to work raising three sons (George, Bob, and David) and a daughter (Linda) and helped with the farm.
Lou and Milly worked hard and traveled the world together. Trips to Europe, including Iceland, Norway, Germany and England were mixed with journeys to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Japan, Hong Kong and even China, in 1981, shortly after it was opened for the first time to tourism.
In 1982 Lou and Milly moved from the farm into Ogden where they flourished, surrounded by 6 grandchildren, until Milly lost her battle to brain cancer in October 1987. Lou continued to travel and set up a winter residence in Apache Junction, AZ.
As a Grandpa, he inspired the love of adventure with his grandchildren. He recreated his childhood travel with them, taking all three sets on fantastic trips to National Parks out West and up to Canada and Alaska.
In May 1995, Lou married Elizabeth Meyer, a sweetheart from his Coast Guard days 50 years before. For 11 years they enjoyed their lives together, traveling and dancing, until, once again, cancer stole his wife and Elizabeth passed in March 2006.
Lou retained his winter home in Arizona, dancing to the Big Band sounds. He became enamored with a cute little redhead, Leona Heinze, his life partner since 2007 until his passing.
Lou is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Milly, his wife Elizabeth, daughter-in-law Julie (Edmund) Ensley and grand-daughter Carrie Ensley.
Carrying on his spirit of love, laughter, adventure and mischievousness are his sons George (Ileen) of Boone, Robert (Annette) of Ashburn, VA, Dave (Jan) from Ogden, daughter Linda (Pete) Hadley of Bloomington, IN; five grandchildren – Ron (Jen) of Phoenix, AZ, Mike (Kori) of Clive, IA, Christine Ensley (Bas) Bakker from Arlington, VA, Betsy (Richard) Cecil Alexandria, VA, and Jen (Derrick) Gorshe of Ames; and thirteen great-grandchildren including: Kirsten, Ryan & Kyle (in Phoenix), Riley, Kamryn & Korbin (in Clive), Sonja, Thijs & Susanna (in Arlington) & Evie, Layla, Harrison & Beckham (in Ames). He is also survived by his love of 13 years, Leona Heinze of Manson, IA.
Following cremation, a Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date, once Covid has released its grip and we can safely gather together again.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Ogden, IA’s (EMS) Emergency Medical Services at the Ogden City Hall, PO Box 694, Ogden, IA 50212.
Online condolences may be left at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.
The Foster Funeral Home, 800 Willson Avenue, Webster City, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements.
LuVerne W. (Lou) Ensley, 95, Ogden, Iowa.
