Lois Ivy Coffey

Ivy Coffey was born March 16, 1945 to Ivan and Georgia Kost in Leon, Iowa.  She was the youngest of three girls and spent most of her early days on the Kost farm east of Humeston.  School was attended at both Cambria and Mormon Trail school districts in Wayne County where she greatly enjoyed playing 6-on-6 basketball.  Ivy entered into marriage with Jack Coffey on June 9, 1962 in LeRoy, Iowa.

Some of her fondest memories were working at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames where she learned both compassion and humanity.  She briefly lived in Mount Ayr before setting roots in Russell.  Ivy and Jack worked to build their dream house south of Russell where she enjoyed her passion for nature, animals, and gardening.

Ivy worked at Hy-Vee Regal Stamps before she began her life-long career working for the Russell Community School.  She greatly enjoyed helping educate and watching young children grow and prosper.  Ivy was often remembered for being quoted, “They can’t take an education away from you” which fueled her desire for constant learning.  After retiring from the Russell school, she continued to live in the house she loved so much (“her little cabin in the woods”) where she spent every moment she could observing nature.

Ivy was a prolific reader and read for both relaxation and education.  Gardening, fishing, cooking, and quilting occupied much of her time when she wasn’t with her grandchildren.  Over the years, Ivy could often be found by some of her favorite fishing holes, never afraid to share a minnow or a worm.  While Ivy was known for her wonderful homemade cooking, she will always be remembered for her joyous trays of Christmas candy.  She enjoyed trying to pass her recipes along to her grandchildren, but we know they will never be duplicated.

Ivy was preceded in death by her husband Jack, parents Ivan and Georgia, sister Phyllis (Dale) Briley, mother-in-law Kathryn (Mardis) Coffey (Roy) Renoe, and brother-in-law Denny Clifton.  She is survived by her daughter Sandy (Brad) Piatt of Ankeny, Iowa, son Jim (Lisa) Coffey of Indianola, Iowa, granddaughters Amber Piatt, Allison Coffey, and Julie Coffey, sister Marilyn Mosebach, brother-in-law Jake (Mary) Coffey, sister-in-law Linda Clifton, brother-in-law Randy Coffey, and many nieces and nephews.

Ivy passed away February 25, 2020 at Legacy Lodge in Chariton.  Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Fielding Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 28 from 6-8pm.  Interment will be held at the Humeston Cemetery following services.  Memorials may be made to Lucas County Conservation located at Pin Oak Lodge in Chariton, Iowa.  Online condolences may be made to www.fieldingfuneralhomes.com.

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