Elsie Irene Roth

Elsie Irene Roth, 81, of Ft. Madison, IA, formerly of Donnellson, IA, died Monday, February 13, 2017 at Sunnybrook in Ft. Madison. Born June 15, 1935 in rural Fort Madison, IA, Elsie was the daughter of Garrison and Martha Esther (Lauther) Morton. On July 22, 1956 she married Ivan LaVerne Roth in the Union Presbyterian Church in Fort Madison, IA. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2014 after fifty- eight happy years of marriage. Elsie attended Sawyer Elementary School, graduated from Denmark High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree magna cum laude from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, IA. After receiving her teaching degree she taught at Wever Elementary School, Donnellson Elementary School, being the first there to be involved in the team teaching concept with Mrs. Yvonne Wilson and also teaching at Argyle, Jr. High, with a total accumulative of thirteen years teaching. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, former member of Chapter CK of TTT and a twenty year member of the Donnellson Lions Club of which she held offices locally and also on the district level. She was given the state honorary Warren Coleman award for outstanding service in Lionism. She was Lee County Fair Secretary for thirteen years. She, her husband and family owned and operated Town and Country Grocery and Restaurant in Donnellson for thirteen years. She was instrumental in organizing and promoting the Donnellson Apple Daze for fourteen years with other committee members. She and her husband co-chaired the American Red Cross blood drives for twenty years. Survivors include, daughter, Marjorie (Gary) Lightfoot, son Les (Lora) Roth, daughter Miriam (Kurt) Freesmeier all of Donnellson, grandsons, Jason, Justin, Jordan Lightfoot, D.J. Freesmeier, Brady Roth and granddaughters, Jamilee Lightfoot, Brittani Patterson, Danika Roth and Sara Roth, seven great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Elizabeth Webb, brothers, Craig and Dale Morton. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Keokuk with Reverend David Turner and Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Burial was. in the Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson, IA. Memorials may be made to Holt International Adoption Agency or Together We Rise (Foster Care). A TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS "A Tribute to Mothers" they said to me But, oh, what a problem that proved to be. So many wonderful things could be said, But here are some that popped into my head. When you were tiny and wrinkled and red, Who cuddled you closest there in the bed? Who boiled endless bottles with care, So not one little germ was left in there? Who hung all those diapers line after line, Time, after time, after time? Who washed and bathed you and braided your hair, And kissed all the bruises, here and there? Who had the patience to try to explain, The questions you asked again and again? Who wiped a little tear from her cheek, When you skipped off to school the very first week? Who said your poem to herself in her chair, While you're a stammering through it up there? Who sat back, prouder than punch, When you sang louder than the rest of the bunch? Who planned a party for your surprise, To brighten your face and light up your eyes? Who said, "It's not bad at that", When the cake you made came out flat? Who taught you to follow the Golden Rule, Whether at home, at church or at school? Who watched and prayed by your bed, night and day, Till the Dr. said you would be okay? Who kept you from wearing colors that fight, When you wanted to be dressed up just right? Who tries to smooth Dad's furrowed brow. When your slumber party gets loud somehow? Who goes to a meeting of the P.T.A. And leaves all the dishes, to my dismay? YES --- MOTHER I Love You Mother! Written by Elsie's older sister, Elizabeth Webb