Marcella Milne

Marcella Margaret Milne was born October 17, 1931, on the family farm outside of Clutier, the daughter of Frank (F. J.) and Agnes (Petra) Dvorak. She was raised on the farm and attended country school before graduating from Dysart High School in 1949. On October 4, 1949, she married John Milne. Together they raised five children. They were later divorced.

While raising her children, Marcella worked in various ways. She helped by working on the farm. She worked as a waitress for a short time. She then pursued a career as a bookkeeper for McAndrews Paint and Decorating. She finished her career as bookkeeper for Farmer’s Lumber Company before retiring in 1999.

Marcella loved to garden and enjoyed doing yard work. She enjoyed birding and nature (except the squirrels in her bird feeder!) She was an avid sports fan and follower of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed following the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren with the Union football state championship in 2011 being a highlight. She loved and collected owls. She was a devout Christian as a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and then the Prince of Peace Cluster. She was the church treasurer for many years and a former member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Outside of church she was a past member of the Dysart Women’s Club, Dysart Ambulance Service and was part of the Dysart Tree Board, including as secretary for several years.

Marcella died at the age of 92 on December 1, 2023, at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer where she had been a resident for the past year. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Steve, two stillborn children, Joseph and Ann, her grandson, Lucas Hinders, a brother, Albin Dvorak and two sisters, Lillian Wobeter and Pauline Dvorak. Marcella is survived by four children: Jack Milne (Dysart), Terry (Susie) Milne (Las Vegas, Nevada), Madonna (Rick) Foulk (LaPorte City) and Pam (Kenny) Johnson (Dysart); six grandchildren and five step grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren as well as a great grandchild due this spring.

The funeral was on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer at 9:00 AM. The burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Dysart. The visitation was on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the Overton Funeral Home in Dysart, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.