NINA RUTH POWELL

    Nina Ruth Powell, daughter of Omar and Jenny (Kinder) Holtzman, was born June 14, 1932 at Mount Ayr, Iowa. Nina grew up at Mount Ayr and attended local schools. Nina married Bill Johnson and to this union, one son, Howard, was born. Nina and Bill later divorced. Nina married Rolland D. Powell and to this marriage was born a son, Buddy.
    Nina worked for Billy Finch in her early years before beginning a career in the dietary field. Nina was a cook at the Ringgold County Hospital for several years, and then she was a cook at Clearview Homes for 26 years. Nina would also work at the Cap Factory.
    Nina loved to go camping, and they camped at the Iowa State Fair. She enjoyed spending time embroidering and working her word-find books. Nina will be remembered for her sense of humor and being witty. She always had a dog and DJ was her dog for these last years. Nina enjoyed her trips to the casino.
    Nina became a resident of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr and she passed away there on April 20, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Rolland in 1982; siblings Elmer, Donna, Bob, Linda, Dale, Elmer, Irene, Bernice, Bonnie in infancy, and a set of twins at birth.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons Howard Johnson and wife Diane of Clarinda, IA and Buddy Powell and friend Valerie Fletchall of Mount Ayr; grandsons Cody A. Johnson of Sully, IA; step-grandchildren Crystal Rea of Atlantic, IA and Casey Rea of Algona, IA; great grandchildren Trace Tyler and Cora Evelyn Johnson; step-great grandchildren Bryan, Kierdis, Quaria, Jayshawn, Isaiah, Evan, Conner and Grayson Rea; step-sons Jake Powell and Dennis Powell; sister Helen McGahuey and Lois Johnson, both of Mount Ayr; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
    Services were held at the Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 with Pastor Bill Armstrong officiating and Nancy Sackett, Mary Davenport and Margaret Bickers providing the music.
    Pallbearers were Barry McGahuey, Larry Drake, J.P. Whittington, Roger Johnson, Eric Drake and Mack Greene. Honorary pallbearers were Jake Powell, Randy Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Jerry Haley, Daryl Holden and Steve Lowman.
    The final resting place is Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established to HCI Care Services of Mount Ayr.