Josephine E. Elliott

Josephine E. Elliott, 85, passed away from this life on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at her home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at Ankeny Funeral Home Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church (2110 West 1st Street Ankeny, IA 50023).

Josephine (JOSIE) was the 5th child born to Lloyd and Victoria Laughlin on October 30, 1926 in rural Schell City, MO. She went to be with her Savior on June 9th at her home in Mill Pond Retirement Community in Ankeny,IA after a 17 year- long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

As a young child in 1932 her family moved to Garden Grove, IA where they farmed and Josie attended 12 years of school, graduating in 1945. She then served as a school teacher in Woodland, IA and later worked in insurance in DSM, IA.

Jan 24th, 1947, Josie married her childhood sweetheart, Jack D. Elliott who had recently returned from serving as a soldier in WW II Germany. Jack and Josie became the proud parents of two children, Rebecca Ann and Gregory Leo.

Throughout Jack’s career in communications, he and Josie lived in Garden Grove, IA, Des Moines, IA, Madison, WI, Cedar Rapids,IA, Omaha,NE, Ouray, CO, Tucson,AZ and Ankeny,IA throughout their 65 and a half years of married life. They were always a close and busy couple that enjoyed their family and friends.

Josie enjoyed homemaking, and especially the art of cooking. She was known for her elaborately decorated birthday cakes, and for endless hospitality serving countless friends and relatives many wonderful meals.

Jack and Josie both became Christians at the age of 13 together at a revival in the High Point Methodist church. From that time forward they consistently served in their churches in many different aspects, and were also always known for giving a helping hand to anyone in need. In 1972 they joined the Gideons international and became very active. Josie became an accomplished Bible teacher. Her skills were used to both speak and instruct in her churches and throughout the Gideon ministry. She served from the local up to the international level. Josie’s personal faith was both deep and genuine. Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5 & 6. In her later years she made a ministry of handing out small New Testaments to clerks, waitresses, and anyone who would engage with her in conversation, always with a smile and loving touch. Josie loved her family, her churches, and many, many friends. Her life was a wonderful example for us all, and she will be sorely missed.

Josie is preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Victoria Laughlin, her son, Gregory, sister, Marylee (Harold) Davis, brother, John (Joan) Laughlin, brother Monty Laughlin, and a baby brother, Lloyd Meyers who died in infancy, brothers-in-law Donald (Chassie Lee) Elliott, Bob Graves, John Marshall, Gayle Coffin, & Harry Kimberley.

She is survived by her husband Jack D. Elliott of Ankeny, IA; sister, Isobel Marshall of Clive, IA, sister-in-law Elaine Kimberley of Ankeny, IA, daughter Rebecca (Dr. Michael) McGregor of Mason City, IA; five grandchildren, Mollie McGregor of Jackman, ME; Zac (Stacie) McGregor of Ankeny, IA; April (Angel) Gaxiola of Ankeny, Rudy (Tiffany) Carrizales of N.Carolina, Valentine (Kendra) Mojica of Fabens, TX, three great-grandchildren, Lila & Micah Gaxiola of Ankeny, Nevaeh Texeira of Hawaii, as well as a number of wonderful nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Gideons, International or St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.