Algie Ira Link December 16, 1931-October 1, 2009
Algie Ira Link, youngest of the three children of John Algie and Rosetta M. (Pritchard) Link, was born December 16, 1931 on the farm north of Mount Ayr, Iowa that had been in the family since 1914. He passed away October 1, 2009 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr at the age of 77 years.
Algie married Lillian Loraine Merritt on August 20, 1952 at The Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Linda Ann, Denis Alan and Sandra Kay and seven grandchildren.
He attended country school at Liberty #9 and graduated from Mount Ayr high school with the class of 1950. He always enjoyed visiting with classmates at class reunions.
He spent most of his life farming. When the children reached junior high age, he sold his dairy herd so he could attend their school, MYF and 4-H activities. In addition to farming, he did various other jobs in the community. He helped build the hospital in 1951, operated a dirt scraper when they built the Mount Ayr airport and helped with fund-raising efforts for the 4-H building at the Ringgold county fairgrounds. After his retirement from the farm, he continued to drive a tractor part- time during summer months for a neighbor.
The past 17 years Algie and Loraine liked to spend winters at Kenwood RV park in Texas where their friends became their second family.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church and a 4-H leader for 25 years of the Junior Farmers 4-H Club that he and Lee Faris organized in 1958. He was vice chairperson of Kenwood RV Park Board in Texas and throughout the years was a member of various committees in Ringgold county.
His grandchildren were the apple of his eyes and he enjoyed their visits. The old house rocked and rolled when the whole family was together in November to celebrate Thanksgiving one day and Christmas the next.
Algie very seldom missed sporting events his children were involved in and liked to hunt deer and pheasants. Later on in years, he played cards and pool with his friends. Highlights of his years were family reunions and camping at the Iowa State Fair.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alice Haver and Opal Smith, and his father and mother-in-law, Carroll and Mary Merritt.
Algie is survived by his wife, Loraine, of 57 years; daughters, Linda McKnight of Webb City, Missouri and Sandra Campbell of Slater, Iowa; son, Denis Link of Mount Ayr, Iowa; grandchildren, Michael, Andrea and David McKnight, Alison and Asa Campbell and Alisha and Alayna Link; sister-in-law, Lucille (Marvin) Main of Mount Ayr, Iowa; nieces; nephews; cousins, and many friends.
Services were conducted at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr on Sunday, October 4, 2009, with Rev. Skip Rushing and Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating.
Musicians were June Smith, Jim and Carol Ann McCreary and Barbie Belzer.
Casket bearers included Lyle Faris, Mark Triggs, Rod Faris, Kevin Triggs, Gary Myers and Ron Swanson.
Honorary pallbearers were Lee Faris, Paul Drake, Bill Rees, Joe Jackson, Clyde Brand, Roger Morrison, Frank Dredge, Ivan Dolecheck, Harold Piepmeier and Gary Bjustrom.
Algie was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
