In Memory of Persis M. Coalter

Persis Mary Coalter, age 100, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2017, at the Morningside Healthcare Community of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church of rural Galva, Iowa. The Reverend Arlyn Coalter and Pastor Kristen D. Boysen will officiate. Committal will follow in the Galva Township East Cemetery of Galva, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with an Eastern Star Service held at 7:00 p.m., conducted by the Signet Chapter 1 of Carroll, Iowa, and followed by a prayer service, Friday, April 7, 2017 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Persis Mary Coalter was born on August 7, 1916 at the family farm home near Ida Grove, Iowa in Corwin Township, to Arthur and Ethel (Koch) Grouell.  She graduated from high school in 1934, then went on to take a normal training course and taught rural country school for 6 years. She often talked about the students at the Hayes school. 

Persis was united in marriage to James Coalter on January 2, 1942, a partnership that lasted 70 loving years.  During those years she became a farm wife and mother, created a beautiful Christian home for her husband and five children: Nancy, Shirley, Wayne, Cindy and Arlyn. 

Persis was a faithful member of the Silver Creek United Methodist Church.  She served as president of the United Methodist Women; was a member of the Sioux City District of UMW. She was a member of Eastern Star, where she was a Past Worthy Matron.  She served on the Ida County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, the Ida County Extension Council, was a member of the Federated Club and the Serpaci Car Club.  Persis enjoyed embroidering, crocheting, gardening, and had a love for flowers and house plants.  Every grandchild received an embroidered quilt from her as their high school graduation gift, and many babies received embroidered quilts. Persis loved spending time with her family whenever possible.

Left to cherish wonderful memories of her are her loving children: Nancy (Warren) Winterhof of Walnut, Iowa, Shirley (Joe) Gregor of Marshalltown, Iowa, Wayne (Robyn) Coalter of Tucson, Arizona, Cindy (Bob) Clair of Pierre, South Dakota, and Rev. Arlyn (Deb) Coalter of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; fourteen grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Persis was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Ethel Grouell, her husband James Coalter, infant son Rodnee Coalter, sister Ruth (Mike) Courtney, brother George (Lee) Grouell.  She outlived everyone she knew of her generation.

Memorial donations can be sent to Silver Creek United Methodist Church at Galva, Iowa, or Morningside Care Center in Ida Grove, Iowa in honor of Persis Coalter.