Louise C. Richards

LOUISE C. RICHARDS

Washington

Louise C. Richards, age 88, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, July 2, 2021, at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

Celebration of Life services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home, with Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke officiating. Calling hours will begin 9 a.m. Thursday at the Jones &

Eden Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington.

Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County or Hawkeye Cans for Cancer. Online condolences may be sent for Louise's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.

Louise was born December 8, 1932, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Lyle Albert and Rachel Helen (Johnson) Wilcox. From the start she was known for her bright beautiful smile and her can do attitude! She met adversity with determination and embraced life with joy and laughter.

She attended school in Washington and graduated from Washington High School in 1950. On May 26, 1950, she married her beloved husband, Dale, and they raised three daughters on their Washington farm. She worked side by side with Dale on the farm. She harrowed fields, unloaded grain, mowed acres of lawn, gardened and more. By example, she taught her daughters to be strong capable women.

When the chores were done, she and Dale would go hunting, fishing, camping, water skiing or playing cards with their friends. Life was an adventure and together they lived it to the fullest.

An accomplished seamstress, Louise dressed herself and her girls in style. She loved to sew and it came naturally to her. It was common to see fabric and patterns spread out in the dining room, soon to become a beautiful dress or coat. In later years, she would embroider baby quilts and make snuggly flannel blankets for the babies of her family and friends.

Louise was also known as a marvelous cook and was locally famous for her Grandma Richards Peanut Brittle.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Sunshine Community Club.

She is survived by her husband, Dale Richards of Washington, Iowa; three daughters, Diane Havens and husband Randy of Montrose, Colorado; Linda Bennett of Washington, Iowa; and Kathryn Jones and husband Steve of Washington, Iowa; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Reschly of Washington, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; great-grandson, Noah Novotny; granddaughter, Lisa Jones; son-in-law, Ron Bennett; and brother-in-law, Jim Reschly.