Myrtle F. Counsell was born September 23, 1913 in Terril, Iowa, the daughter of George and Mable Rouse. She graduated from the Terril High School and then from the Sioux City School of Cosmetology.
On February 3, 1939, Myrtle was united in marriage to James E. Counsell in Little Rock, Iowa. They farmed northeast of Little Rock, Iowa before moving to Sibley, Iowa where she had a beauty shop in her home. In 1986 they moved to their home on Lake Okoboji and lived there until they moved into their condo in Spirit Lake. The last two and one-half years she resided in Wel-Life assisted living. Her fond memories were the twenty years they wintered in Texas, as well as traveling and being travel guides to different parts of the United States as well as islands.
She attended the Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa, Sibley, Iowa, Spirit Lake, Iowa and was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa.
Myrtle passed away May 12, 2012 at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa at ninety-eight years of age.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Ellen Voss of Sibley, Iowa; eight nieces, three nephews and their families and a very good and faithful friend, Mike Hager.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James, of 60 years; sisters, Mildred Vance, Irene Erickson, and Ruth Harris; brothers, Lyle Rouse and Paul Rouse.