Zella Folk

ZELLA JOSEPHINE KERR FOLK

Zella Josephine Folk, age 85, of Kahoka, MO, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at the Clark Co. Nursing Home in Kahoka.

Josephine was born April 20, 1930 at her grandparent's home in Fort Madison, IA, a daughter of Joseph and Zella Sells Kerr.

She married David Folk on March 31, 1951 in Canton, MO. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2015.

Survivors include one son, Bruce (Marcia) Folk of Texas; four daughters, Jackie (Dale) White of Bloomfield, IA, Linda (Dr. Stephen) Casady of Unionville, MO, Marlys (Chris) McElroy of Birmingham, AL, and Joan (Jerry) Malone of Kahoka, MO; twenty-one grandchildren: Heather (Hector) Garcia of Des Moines, IA, Steven (Jessica) White of Sioux Falls, SD, Jeremy White of Des Moines, IA, Nathan White of Bloomfield, IA, Terri (Jeremy) West of Lakewood, CO, Thomas Haggard of Casper, WY, Timothy (Kasey) Folk of Mt. Vernon, TX, Jennifer Casady of St. Louis, MO, Niki Casady of Kansas City, MO, Allison Casady of Unionville, MO, Daniel (Liz) Folk of Kansas City, MO, Melissa (Ethan) Ives of Springfield, MO, Jessica Laymon of Birmingham, AL Brianna Laymon of Dubuque, IA, Deanna (Roberto) Candelaria, of Chicago, IL, Megan McElroy of Scottsdale, AZ, Laura McElroy of Africa, Tyler McElroy of St. Louis, MO, Jason Malone and fiancé Morgan Glasgow of St. Francisville, MO, Justin Malone and fiancé Cassie Stufflebeem of Ottumwa, IA and Brittany Malone and fiancé Miguel Caberera of Omaha, NE; thirteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Tom Kerr of Luray, MO; sister-in-law, Dorothy Johnson of AZ; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Jess Folk; one brother, Joe Kerr; and sisters-in-law, Esther and Shirley Kerr.

Josephine was a graduate of Fort Madison High School and received her RN license in Burlington. She worked at a hospital in Burlington until the family moved to Luray in 1959. While raising her children and milking their dairy herd, she was an RN for nursing homes in Clark and Scotland Counties. She later worked at Graham Hospital in Keokuk and Van Buren Co. Hospital in Keosauqua. She was one of the original nurses at the formation of the Scotland Co. Hospital in Memphis. She retired from Laughlin Hospital in Kirksville.

Josephine worked hard all of her life caring for her children and their livestock following a full day of nursing, never complaining about her lack of sleep. She loved caring for her flowers, watching the hummingbirds, doing crafts, and especially crocheting. As a caretaker all of her life, she became an unofficial "greeter" at the Clark Co. Nursing Home, spending much of her time talking with others, teaching the residents to crochet and helping them with their crafts. Her faith was always a very important part of her life.

Josephine entered heaven surrounded by her loving family and close friends, Marilee Lipper and Jeannie Davis.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 28, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Shawn McAfee officiating. Special music was provided by Mrs. Rae Jean Martin, pianist, playing congregational hymns "How Great Thou Art" and "I Love To Tell The Story". Other music included recorded selections "Near To The Heart Of God" and "Because He Lives". Burial followed in Combs Cemetery at Luray. Pallbearers were: Justin Malone, Jerry Malone, Dale White, Stephen Casady, Jeremy West and Nathan White.

Friends called at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Monday with family receiving friends from 1:30 p.m. until time of services.

Memorials may be made to the Clark Co. Nursing Home Activity Fund or the Peaksville Christian Church.

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