BOONE, Iowa—Iola M. (Emley) Whitver, age 95 of Westhaven Community and Boone, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 13, 2022.
Iola was born on April 8, 1926 in the family home near Bagley, IA, the daughter of Earl and Mabel (Humphrey) Emley. She graduated from Cooper High School, later earning an AA in Business from Boone Junior College.
Iola was united in marriage with Donald Whitver on February 20, 1949 in Jefferson. From this union were three children, Jane, Dan and Tim. Don passed away on July 17, 2011.
Iola worked as an administrative assistant in Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Later working as a commercial insurance agent for Lauritsen Insurance in Boone, making her the first woman commercial agent in Boone County.
Iola was a devoted follower of our Savior Jesus Christ, she modeled the Christian life for her family, leading and teaching them to worship the Lord. She was a member of First Evangelical Free Church in Boone, where she served as a deaconess. Iola attended weekly Bible studies in Boone but also hosted Bible studies in her home for many years, hosted visiting missionaries and she loved teaching elementary Sunday School for over 35 years. She prayed faithfully for her family and friends; Once a friend of Iola’s meant to always be a friend.
Iola was an active community member as a 4-H Leader, Boone County Hospital surgery waiting room volunteer and Soroptimist, a group of business women leaders in Boone (the friends still met with Iola regularly).
Iola loved flower gardening (and giving her flowers away), cooking, and entertaining people; Whether it be a tea party, a meal or just a cup of coffee with a wonderful dessert (the more whipped cream, the better!). Iola’s greatest joy was being a mom, grandma and great grandma.
Iola loved her time at Westhaven Community. She frequently said she was “cared for 24/7 by the Westhaven angels”.
Iola was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; brothers, Howard Emley and Ross Emley.
She is survived by her children, Jane Weston of Dubuque, IA, Dan (Cathy) Whitver of Mabel, MN, and Tim (Denise) Whitver of Lakewood, CO, Dave & Marilyn Haynes of Ames, IA and Greg & Polly Rinehart of Boone, IA; grandchildren, Michael (Sarah), Megan (Joel), Mike, Angie, Kimberly, Tyler, Christine (Mark), Douglas (Renata), Ryan (Jenna), Katy (Caleb), Kari (Johnny), John (Laura), Abby (Joshua), Sarah (Daniel), Daniel (Hope), Anna (Eric), Miriam, Elizabeth (John), Emily (Isaac); great grandchildren, Mason, Titus, Shae, Caden, Kael, Breanna, Braden, Chase, Oliver, Simon, Iris, Lila, Mila, Ruthie, Aili, Hazel, Ettalyn, Edward, Evangeline, Vincent, Jackson, Vera, Sophia, Noah, Wyatt, Watson, Barrett, Alton, Isaiah, Matthew, Boaz, Emilia, Vivienne, Samuel, Timothy, Benjamin, Michael, James Vincel, Aaron, Evelyn, Winston; great-great granddaughters, Genevieve, Anastasia; brother-in-law, Buck Whitver of West Union; along with many special nieces and nephews and dear friends.
A Private Burial was held in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone.
A Celebration of Life Service for Iola, followed by visitation with the family, will be held Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Evangelical Free Church, 1407 Kate Shelley Drive, Boone, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to The Salvation Army in Boone, Countryside Bible Chapel in Stratford or First Evangelical Free Church in Boone.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets is in charge of arrangements.
About the Author
