2011 Memorials

A memorial fund has been established for James Lee Gammon (June 30, 1941 - March 12, 2011) by his family to be used to help people with breathing issues.  Mr. Gammon spent hundreds of hours in the hospital as a child with asthma and continued to fight this battle throughout his lifetime.  We are honored to be a part of his legacy in the continued fight against lung disease and chronic issues. 
Memorials can be made online (click on Donate Today) or mailed to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation, 933 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, IA  51503.

James Gammon, “The Wizard of Bonds”, died last weekend from complications associated with his heart. According to Smith’s Research and Grading, “He is one of the most important figures in municipal finance during the past 50 years. His record speaks for itself: Mr. Gammon was simply one of the best buyers in the business — ever.”

Mr. Gammon was born and raised in Council Bluffs, IA.  He attended Thomas Jefferson High School, and graduated from University of Nebraska in Omaha.  Growing up, Mr. Gammon loved politics, history, debating and in college was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.  In his later years, he loved taking care of his yard, going to Broadway shows, reading science fiction books and collecting Steuben glass.
Mr. Gammon always worked hard, often 12 hour days.  He worked for General Electric Investment Corporation for 20 years and nine years as Senior Vice-President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Loews/CNA Holdings, Inc.  He then became president of Lebenthal Asset Management.  Mr. Gammon consistently posted Number 1 total returns for one-year, three-year and five-year investments, according to Lipper Analytics.  He was a past member of the Municipal Analysts Group of New York and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts (NFMA).  The NFMA awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.

Mr. Gammon was an inspiration to many people.  His generosity was well known.  Importantly, he never asked for thanks or praise for the kind deeds that he did.  His thanks was knowing that he helped someone.  He rejoiced in the successes of others.  Mr. Gammon donated often to Council Bluffs’ Broadway Christian Church and Jennie Edmundson Hospital, as well as other worthy causes.  He often helped people get jobs and mentored young people in general.

James L. Gammon is survived by his wife of 45 years, Frances (Fairfield, CT), and his son Matthew (Orlando, FL).  His mother Hazel, sister Ruth, and Ruth’s husband Ron live in Council Bluffs, IA.  His niece and nephews, Christopher Massey, Deborah and Nadeem Ahmad, William McIver, and Scott Musgrove, live in North Richland Hills, TX.

Eileen Carlson, age 82, of Council Bluffs, passed away March 31, 2011 at Fox Run Assisted Living Community. Eileen was born on March 13, 1929 in Brock, NE to Wilber and Gladys (Yont) Maclay who preceded her in death.

She is also preceded in death by her brother John Maclay and her aunt Helen Yont.

Eileen is survived by her children Mike Cronin and wife Nancy, Larry Carlson and wife Pam, Sue Diercks and husband Kenny; brothers Bob Maclay and wife Mitz, Jim Maclay and wife Janis; sister Molly Hosic; grandchildren Brianne McGinty and husband Chris, Alicia Diercks, Brandon Carlson, Drew Carlson, Jenna Carlson, Jennifer Nymann; great-grandchild Maverick McGinty; nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. at Maher-Livingston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Volunteer Services.
Memorials can be made online (click on Donate Today) or mailed to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation, 933 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, IA  51503. 

Marguerite Powell, age 83, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at the Amelia House in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  She was  born January 18, 1928 in St. John's New Foundland to Harvey and Pearl Sparks Russell.  She worked in the secretarial field for Tinley Law Firm, Mutual of Omaha for 15 years and at Jennie Edmundson for 8 years.  Marguerite was a regular Council Bluffs Library patron. 

Marguerite is preceded in death by her parents; husband Clifford Powell on November 1, 1986; and brother Ralph Russell. 

She leaves to mourn her son Bruce and his wife Naomi of Omaha, Neb,; daughter Denise Belt of Pensacola, Fla.; 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; sister Jean Hansen and her husband Chuck of Council Bluffs; brother Harvey Russell of Toronto, Canada. 

Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00am to 11:00am, followed by funeral service at 11:00am at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel.  Intement at Memorial Park Cemetery followed by fellowship at the Amerlia House.  Memorials are suggested to Council Bluffs Library and Jennie Edmundson Hospital.
Memorials can be made online (click on Donate Today) or mailed to Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation, 933 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, IA  51503. 

Dorothy Lucille Hough, age 81, of Council Bluffs, passed away October 31, 2011 at Regency Rehabilitation Center.  Dorothy was born April 4, 1930 in McClelland, IA to Henry and Mary (Burhenne) Hiller.  Dorothy married Clem Hough on March 18, 1948 and Clem and Dorothy lived in the McClelland and Underwood areas all their lives.  During the 1960s, Dorothy worked for Underwood School systems in food services.  In 1971, she began working at Jennie Edmundson Hospital as a cook and shift supervisor, retiring in 1994.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Clement Hough; brothers John Hiller and Henry (Bud) Hiller, Jr.

She is survived by her son Randy Hough and wife Lisa, daughter Ellen Ross and husband Mark; grandchildren Sarah Ross-Lazarov and husband Tsvet, Amy Ross and husband Jim Foley, and Kyle Hough.

Private graveside services were held Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Grange Cemetery.   
In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be directed to The Jennie Edmundson Breast Health Center(click on Donate Today) ; c/o Jennie Edmundson Foundation, 933 E. Pierce St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503.
Norman M. Smith, age 85, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at Risen Son Christian Village.

Norman was born on September 17, 1926, in Oakland, Iowa, to the late Max and Martha (Johnson) Smith. After graduation Norman served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Helen McIntosh on May 14, 1950. He worked as Distribution Director for Safeway Stores for 30 years, retiring on August 12, 1992. He was a member of First Christian Church and VFM Post #737.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother; and 2 sisters.  He is survived by his wife, Helen, of Council Bluffs; daughter, Teri and Greg Wilson-Spencer, of Council Bluffs; 2 sons, Larry and DeAnne Smith, of Des Moines, Iowa, Charles and Julie Smith, of Council Bluffs; 7 grandchildren, Andrew and Lori Wilson, of Honey Creek, Iowa, Bridgette Smith, Molly Smith and Shanon Smith, all of Council Bluffs; Zachary Smith, Rebekah Smith and Mikalah Smith, all of Des Moines; 3 great grandchildren, Isadora Wilson, of Honey Creek, Rilee and Breana Kindred, of Council Bluffs.

Visitation with family on Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home. Funeral Service on Monday, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home with Reverend Jerry Hopkins, officiating. Burial Hazel Dell Cemetery with Military Honors by VFW Post #737. Memorials to the JEMH Foundation.