Obituary of Reva Lucille Iske

Reva, formerly of Newton, passed from this life on Sunday morning, February 26, 2017, in Lincoln, NE. Reva Lucille Iske, 96, was born February 28, 1920, near Wyaconda, Missouri, and was later adopted by James Henry and Era W. (Franklin) Smith. On August 30, 1936, she married Forest Carmen Northrup in Memphis, MO. To this union three children were given, Linda, Richard and Gary. Growing up during the depression, she had a strong work ethic and determination. She and Forest were divorced in 1951. She worked on the Maytag farm north of Newton as a farm hand, was manager of AC Ice Cream store and worked as a store checker. On July 5, 1952, she was united in marriage with Keith Edward Iske, in a friend’s home near Reasnor. They were married 59 years, until Keith’s death. Reva was employed and retired from the Jasper County Bank (now US Bank), after 31 years of service. After retirement she worked at Rock Communications, at the Maytag Dairy farm, and volunteered at the Jasper County Museum. She and Keith belonged to a square dance club for many years and the Baptist church. She taught herself to play the organ, loved her garden, canned everything that didn’t move, was a skilled seamstress, excellent cook, enjoyed reading cook books, inventing her own recipes, creating crafts and selling many of her items at craft shows. Reva is survived by her children and eight grandchildren: daughter Linda Johnson of Newton and her son Todd (Amy) Trease; Richard’s daughters: Denise Haelzel of Albia, Amy Northrup of Ottumwa, and Jessica Northrup; son Gary (Ruby) Northrup of Lincoln, NE and their children: Darci (Justin) Edler, Justin (Mary Ann) Northrup, Lori Ward, and Lindsay (Sam) Landers; her thirteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and her many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Keith in 2011 and her son Richard in 1998. A time of remembrance and celebration of life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton, with a visitation an hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to the family or a charity of your choosing.