Obituary of Maureen C. Woods

Maureen Carol Woods, 62, passed away Sunday evening, January 1, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services for Maureen will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, IA. Reverend David Rex will be conducting the services. A visitation with the family will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Maureen's name are being designated to the Lupus Foundation of America or the donor's choice. Maureen, the daughter of Maurice Dale Woods and Mary Hanora (Hart) Woods, was born August 18, 1949 at St. Francis Hospital in Grinnell, Iowa and she graduated from the Newton Senior High School in 1967. She was employed by Newton Manufacturing Company for 35 years until Lupus forced her to leave the work force. When she was well enough she enjoyed working on Republican Party campaigns, helping with class reunions, participating in the American Business Women's Association, sharing her greeting card designing skills with her stamp club and playing the organ. She lived with her parents at their home located on the family farm 6 miles SE of Newton, IA and next to her dad's automotive business (Woods Garage) so her parents could help her fight her unrelenting battle with Lupus that she had since she was just 16 years old. She enjoyed exploring the world by going on trips with her mom and dad, cooking, experiencing new restaurants and just being a very good friend to everyone she knew. She was preceded in death by her parents and Maureen remained on the family farm with the assistance of her brother, Marvin M. Woods, until her death. Those left to honor her death are her brother and several cousins located in California and other parts of this country as well as Australia.