Lois Willadene “Deanie” Walsh McDowell

Lois Willadene “Deanie” Walsh McDowell

Lois Willadene “Deanie” Walsh McDowell
March 12, 1929 – October 2, 2022
Albia, Iowa | Age 93

Lois Willadene (Deanie) Walsh McDowell died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on October 2nd, 2022.

She was born March 12, 1929, to Doc and Margaret (Landsperger) Cooper. She grew up in Hiteman and graduated from Albia High School. When she graduated, all the girls received a small wooden cedar box from the local furniture store that Deanie cherished and used to this day. This was a part of her love for wooden furniture, which she refinished and brought back to life. She also learned to cane chairs and later in life took up woodcarving.

On March 3, 1951, she married the love of her life, Gene (Bunt) Walsh and they settled on a farm 2 miles west of Melrose. They started a family and Deanie was a homemaker and member of Melrose St. Patrick’s Church and Altar & Rosary Society. During 1969, she began her career in the postal service as a part-time clerk at the Melrose Post Office. Later, she was a sub carrier for RR 1 Melrose. Not only would you find your mail in your box, but every now and then you might find a small treat. She then worked at the Ottumwa Post Office for 6 years. In 1982, she received the full-time mail carrier position for RR 2 in Albia. During 1987, she was named Outstanding Rural Carrier for the S.C. District. Finally, she transferred to RR 5 in Albia until she retired in 1994. On the final day of her mail route, she retired in style by delivering her mail from a white limousine.

Besides working at the post office and raising 5 children, Deanie found time to serve 15 years as a 4-H leader, 4 years on the 4-H committee, and 4 years on the 4-H extension council. She loved being a part of the 4-H world and attending the county and state fair. For many years, she would bake an apple pie during the fair to be auctioned off at the horse show. In 2008, she was a Monroe County 4-H Hall of Fame Recipient. During that same year she was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for her outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. She also received the 4-H Alumni award and the 4-H Honorary Member award. Later, at the Iowa State Fair, she received the Century Farm award for her mother’s farm, the Landsperger farm.

In 1991, Gene passed away due to cancer. Deanie continued to live at the farm and a few years later would find the second love of her life with Lloyd (Bunion) McDowell. On December 12, 1994, they were united in marriage and moved to Lake Rathbun. In her retirement years she continued her love of woodworking, especially woodcarving. She enjoyed birdwatching, feeding the birds, watching for eagles, and baking. She would bake pies for Feehan’s Pub to sell on Fridays. However, many figured out that when Deanie came to the Pub for lunch on Thursdays, she had the pies with her. Needless to say, a lot of pie was sold on Thursday. She and Bunion were always on the go. They spent lots of time with family making sure holidays/special occasions were spent together at their home. They also enjoyed spending time with their neighbors playing cards, going gambling, and out for dinner. Deanie loved going to auctions. She especially loved those that benefited the youth and organizational groups. Next to her two husbands and children, the biggest love of her life was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Deanie is survived by her husband, Lloyd McDowell. Her children to live on are Karen (Denny) Amoss, Mike Walsh, Bill Walsh (Ann Mellick), Margaret Ann (Greg) Crall, Mary Helen (Everett) Husmann, & stepdaughter Paula DeVore. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Troy (Lori) Amoss, Lynnette (Josh) Major, Eric (Kristy) Akins, Katie (Tim) Phelps, Cali (JT) Lacey, Cami (Richie) Vande Lune, and step-grandchildren, Nycole (Justin) Wood, & Michael DeVore. She was blessed and always enjoyed the company of her 24 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Walsh and was extremely grateful for Connie Wells, her neighbor and dear friend who watched over her especially close.
She is preceded in death by her first husband Gene Walsh and at birth their child Joseph Michael. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Doc & Margaret Cooper; and siblings, Willis Cooper, Elster (EL) Cooper, and Betty Pyle.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, with Deanie’s family present from 4:00-8:00 p.m.to greet family and friends. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Christian Wake Service.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, with Father Timothy Armbruster, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose.

A memorial has been established to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, Monroe County 4-H, or EveryStep Hospice.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lois Willadene “Deanie” Walsh McDowell please visit the Tharp Funeral Home Sympathy Store.