Ethel Vivian Ward passed away on Nov. 26, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, at the age of 104 years, five months and 19 days.
She was born on June 7, 1920, in her family home near Missouri Valley, to Nels C. and Nora C. (Petersen) Bertelson.
Ethel graduated in 1938, from Missouri Valley High School after taking normal training. At the time she was qualified to teach country school right out of high school. She taught in Rockford and Boomer Townships for 13 years. She also taught Sunday school and Bible school.
She and her husband Don Ward farmed. They both loved the land and worked to be good stewards of it. They were married 59 years. They moved to Missouri Valley in 2001.
Ethel was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the hospital auxiliary, a sister in Alpha Delta Kappa sorority and PEO. She belonged to Friends of the Library, Tuesday Club, and was a former member of OTO and Live and Learn Extension Club. She served on the Pottawattamie County Extension Council and was chosen Homemaker of the Year in 1973.
Ethel liked to travel and was an avid reader. She made quilts and loved listening to music and watching baseball. She enjoyed visiting, a cup of coffee and now and then a glass of Zinfandel and a good joke.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents Nels and Nora; her husband Don; her little daughter Jeannie; and sister and brother-in-law Esther and Jack Bolliger.
She is survived by her daughter and son in law Jacquie and Mike Plews; grandson Kai his wife Rachel Plews; great-grandchildren Dex, Ren, Gus, Asa, and Leo; cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorials can be directed to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital or the Missouri Valley Public Library.
Services were conducted Dec. 5, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences, www.hennesseyonline.com.
