Iola Lovely, 103, of Greenfield

Funeral Services: Will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Greenfield United Methodist Church with a luncheon immediately following the service. Burial will follow the luncheon at the Greenfield Cemetery. Pastor Melinda Stonebraker will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Open Visitation: Will be held at the Greenfield United Methodist Church on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Greenfield United Methodist Church. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Food Pantry at the Greenfield United Methodist Church.

Iola Maxine (Black) Lovely was born November 16, 1920, to Charles Earl Black and Mabel Roberta (Chase) Black in Madison County, Iowa. She passed away on June 12, 2024 at the age of 103. Iola attended rural schools in Madison and Adair Counties. In August, 1934 the family moved from a farm on the Adair-Madison County line to Greenfield so that Iola and her sister, Roberta, could attend high school. Iola graduated from Greenfield High School with the class of 1938.  

On August 18, 1940, Merlin R. Lovely and Iola M. Black were married. They made their home on the Lovely family farm southeast of Greenfield, where Merlin was born and raised. They became parents of two daughters, Marilyn and Susan. Iola worked on the farm and raised a large garden. Iola and Merlin moved from the farm into their new home in Greenfield on January 1, 1977. 

Iola was employed in 1956 as church secretary for the United Methodist Church, Greenfield.

In 1962 Iola began working with Adair County Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Insurance. 

In 1979 she joined Robert Queck and Dennis Kellenberg in a new insurance business, Hometown Agents, Inc. She was a licensed insurance agent for 39 years, retiring in 2001. After retirement, she continued as bookkeeper for Bob and Dennis with their business enterprises. 

Iola was baptized as a child at the Pitzer United Presbyterian Church. She became a member of the Greenfield United Methodist Church in 1934. She remained a faithful member, was active in United Methodist Women, was co-manager of the United Methodist Food Pantry and was in charge of many funeral luncheons. 

Iola was a 4-H leader and served as chairperson of the Adair County Farm Bureau Women. 

Iola always had a needlework project. She enjoyed making quilts, always hand-quilted, for her family and friends. She enjoyed embroidery and crocheted beautiful doilies, afghans and prayer shawls. She crocheted over 800 baby sweaters and 100 stocking caps for missions.  

Iola was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin in 2005; her parents, Charles and Mabel Black; her step-mother, Elizabeth Black; brother, Earl Chase Black; two sisters, Roberta Jones and Eva Foster; son-in-law, Charles Henry and granddaughter, Pheona Lynn Jensen. 

Iola is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (Rolan) Jensen and Susan Henry, five grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandsons. Grandchildren: Melinda (Brian) Drees, Melea (Tim) Goins, Blake Jensen, Bradley (Jessica) Henry, Jennifer (MacGregor) Rice. Great-grandchildren: Nathen (Lizzy) Drees, Adam (Mariana) Drees, Emily Neubauer, Brianna, Garrett and Abigayle Goins; Tate (Megan) Jensen, Shea and Riley Jensen; Alexis and Logan Henry; Mackenzie and Stephanie Rice. Great-great-grandsons: Owen Drees, Oliver and Leo Neubauer and Theodore Jensen, many relatives and friends.