Myona Heerde

Myona (Onie) Darlene Vander Stouwe-Heerde, with a faith more powerful than words, went home to be with our Lord and her beloved husband, Julius Heerde, September 20, 2011 at the Spencer Municipal Hospital at the age of 88. Onie was born August 14, 1923 in Maurice, Iowa to parents Alfred Vander Stouwe and Alice Kooiker-Vander Stouwe. Onie graduated from the Doon, Iowa high school and was united in marriage to Julius Heerde on January 15, 1942 in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Shortly after marriage, Onie and her late husband, Julius, purchased land and farmed in rural Milford near Fostoria for over 50 years raising corn, beans and livestock. Between farming, fishing, traveling and playing cards, Onie and Julius loved dancing. They traveled extensively in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota with friends to visit all the polka and waltzing hot spots. The life of the party, Onie and Julius would light up the dance hall wherever they were. Following Julius' death in 1992, Onie moved to Milford where she became a volunteer and staunch supporter of the local Area Agency on Aging and Dinner Date program. She reveled in the companionship of her family and many friends. She loved playing cards. Knitting, crocheting and fishing were also among her many personal hobbies. Myona (Onie) will be deeply missed by her survivors: three daughters, Karen (Richard) Kilgore of Spirit Lake, Connie (Dana) Holland of Ottumwa and Judy (Douglas) Hoffman of Milford. Six grandchildren: Shane Kilgore, Topeka, Kansas, Jesse (Kate) Kilgore, Lake Park, Bambie Kilgore, Spirit Lake, Shannan Hoffman, Pleasant Hill, Jeremy Hoffman, Milford and Ashley Holland, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Seven great grandchildren: Lona (Kilgore) Praytor, Sarasota, Florida, Sarah (Kilgore) Marsh, Topeka, Kansas, Rapheal Karlyle, Topeka, Kansas, Quentin Karlyle, Spirit Lake, Natley Williams of Topeka, Kansas, Dalton and Nathan Kilgore, of Lake Park, Tayten and Mason Hoffman, Milford. Two sisters, Betty Petersen, Battle Creek, Beulah Witte of Rock Valley and many nieces and nephews. Myona (Onie) was proceeded in death by husband Julius, their infant son, Terry, three brothers Freeman, Vernon and Robert Vander Stouwe and her parents. Memorials may be made to the family for distribution to the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa.