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Joellen “Jo” Eileen (Montgomery) Ehm, 90, of Creston, passed away Monday, June 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving children. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, July 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor John Rusk officiating. Burial will be 2:30 p.m., July 26, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center of Creston is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Jo was born on Sept. 8, 1933, to Ralph and Mary Montgomery in Oskaloosa. She was a graduate of Oskaloosa High School in 1951. She was married to Charles Ehm from Kent, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953. To this union three children were born: Debra, Gary and LeAnn.
Jo had many important roles but none bigger than being a wife, mother, grandma and g-ma. She was a very special woman who brought joy and laughter everywhere she went. Her beautiful smile was contagious.
She was a secretary for the Mahaska County Courthouse in Oskaloosa, then enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom with her children. She went back to work once the kids were all in school as a secretary for the superintendent of the Creston Community School District.
She also enjoyed working at the Hallmark Store in Creston. Along with her husband Chuck, they established the first co-ed 4-H club in Union County, Sandcreek Pioneers. She was actively involved in Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Lakeshore Golf and Country Club. In each of these positions, she brought her passion for helping others.
Over the years, Jo and Chuck traveled extensively, not only seeing the country visiting family and friends, but making new friends along their journeys.
Jo is survived by three children: Debra (Doug) Johnson of Clive, Gary (Cindy) Ehm of Rio Verde, Arizona, and LeAnn (Tom) Lundberg of Halls, Tennessee; four grandchildren: Stacy (Matt) McElliott, Jared (Kari) Ehm, Brittany Johnson (fiance Michael Roberts) and Jacob (Anna) Ehm; five great-grandchildren: Maya, Morgan, Mae, Lenore and Jackson; sisters: Judy Mitchell, Irene Fuller and Marva Terpstra; brother, Gerald Montgomery; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; her parents and her brothers, John Montgomery and Richard Montgomery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Greater Regional Cancer Center, Creston; Trinity Lutheran Church, Creston; Iowa 4-H Foundation or a charity of your choosing. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhome.com.