Obituary of Junella J Livingston

Junella’s family invites you to a gathering, for a time of fellowship and luncheon, to be held 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2015, in the Pence Tribute Center at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Junella "Junie" Livingston, 93, the daughter of Payton Jessie and Nellie (Annyas) Morris, was born April 12, 1921, one of the first babies born at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. She was a graduate of Newton Senior High School, Class of 1939. On December 4, 1943, Junie was united in marriage with Burtnett "Burt" R. Livingston in Newton. Junie devoted her life to her family and friends, and was a member of the First Lutheran Church, where she served as a choir member and soloist, a longtime member of PEO Chapter AO, a past board member (first woman) of the Newton Country Club where she and Burt enjoyed playing golf, a past president of Tuesday Mother's Club and in 1950, was named Des Moines Tribune's "One of Iowa's Loveliest Mothers." She was secretary of the Jasper County Arts Council, an accomplished artist in oil painting, often asked to recite poetry, active in Newton Community Theatre, a hospital volunteer, and was Newton Mardi Gras Queen in 1958. She was a Shaklee Corporation senior sales leader since 1981, a business which brought her great joy. Junie died Friday, January 2, 2015, at the Calvin Community in Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Burt on March 3, 2009; her two brothers: Everett Morris and Arnold Morris; and two sisters: Vera Kimler and Novie Greenlee. Junella will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Those left to honor Junella's memory include her sons: Jeff (Barbara) Livingston and Jim Livingston; her daughter Julie Livingston (Dwight A. Johnson); her grandchildren: Jeff Livingston and Jamie Livingston; and many friends. Memorials in Junella's name have been designated to: Shaklee Cares, a charity which sends relief supplies and food to disaster areas.