Ila Mae Simdorn

George, IA Ila Mae Simdorn, age 87 of Little Rock, IA died Monday, January 17, 2011, at Sibley Nursing and Rehab Center in Sibley, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 20th at Zoar Presbyterian Church of George, IA with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 19th from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Ila Mae (Eberline) Simdorn was born May 7, 1923, on the family farm near George, Iowa, to Earl and Lilli (Roth) Eberline. She attended school at George, and following graduation from high school, attended Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Russell Simdorn on February 12, 1944. They lived and farmed on the family farm one mile north of Zoar Presbyterian Church since their marriage. She taught at rural schools for four years, and then took time to raise her family. She returned to teaching in 1965, teaching first grade at Little Rock, Iowa, until 1988, when she retired. Ila Mae was dedicated to her students, and maintained contact with many of them through the years. Family was the most important aspect of her life, as Ila Mae and Russell looked forward to family gatherings, special events and Sunday afternoons at the farm with the grandchildren. They also traveled extensively, taking memorable trips around the United States and to Germany. She and Russell were married for 57 years. Russell passed away in 2001. Ila Mae always emphasized the importance of education for both her children and grandchildren, all of whom received the advice, Persistence and determination lead to success. She was very appreciative of her family of neighbors, and enjoyed being able to remain living on the farm. She was an active lifelong member of Zoar Presbyterian Church, and participated in most church events through the years. She was also a member of the Little Rock Womens Club and was a regular attendee of the Zoar coffee and prayer group that met on Wednesday mornings at the church. In recent years, she enjoyed activities with her friends, including fishing with Marvella Schaa and Friday night tacos and afternoon tea at the Bucksaw in Little Rock. Ila Mae is survived by her four children, Lora Lee and husband Gordon Kuiper of Little Rock, Iowa; Allan and wife Sally of Harlan, Iowa; Lila and husband Jim Kennedy of Rock Rapids, Iowa; and Marla and husband Dean Jacobsen of Spencer, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell and her brother Clinton.