John D. Coulson

Rock Rapids, IA John D. Coulson, age 94 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids, IA. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24th at United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Marsha Sangel officiating. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Family will be receiving friends and family Thursday morning one hour prior to the service at the church. John Delbert Coulson was born July 9, 1920 in Grundy Center, Iowa, the son of Delbert and Gretchen (McDonald) Coulson. He was raised and educated in Grundy Center and graduated from high school in 1938. After high school John spent time at the local newspaper learning how to operate and maintain the printing press. He also worked as a telephone and telegraph lineman. On July 3, 1942 John entered the Army Air Corps where he was a Radar Repairman for Airborne Equipment. He was honorably discharged on January 21, 1946 and returned to Iowa. He and Fred Jess purchased the Little Rock Freelance Newspaper in May of 1948 and ran the paper until August of 1952. On September 7, 1952 John was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Julia Hanson at United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA. They made their home in Rock Rapids. He began working at the Lyon County Reporter as a Mechanical Superintendent. On July 17, 1991 Johns wife Beverly died after 40 years of marriage. Soon after, John retired from the Reporter after working over 30 years. John was a member of the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids and the Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, mowing his yard, reading and short car rides. Most of all John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by five children, Jeane Bruns, Barbara Coulson, both of Doon, IA, Patti (husband Gene) Boon of Alton, IA, Mike (wife Tami) Coulson of Everson, WA and Nancy (husband Terry) Daily of Urbana, MO; seven grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Walters of Iowa City, IA; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Gretchen Coulson; wife, Beverly Jean Julia Coulson; three brothers, Donald, Paul, and Wilfred; and one sister, Margaret Ashby.