"As an army buddy of Max. We used to go to the reunions and an occasional lunch with the Bisbee's Luann was such a nice person. My wife and I always looked forward to seeing them. Max should be comforted with the many years they spent together. I, too, lost my wife recently and know what Max is going through. God Bless, Max and hang in there. John Bradley"
In loving memory of
Luanne Bisbee
June 12, 2010
Ella Luanne Bisbee, one of four children of Vern Arlington Clark and Ella Laura (Trede) Clark, was born on December 5, 1930 in rural Macedonia, Iowa. She was a graduate of Macedonia High School Class of 1949. Following school, Luanne attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where she studied vocal music performance.
Luanne and Max Bisbee were married in Macedonia on September 15, 1950. They made their home in Macedonia and were blessed with three children, Nancy, Barb, and Jeff.
Luanne was a member of many organizations throughout her lifetime but, after her family, the Macedonia United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, were her main focus.
Throughout her life, Luanne used her many talents, including music and quilt making, to make the world more beautiful. Luanne was known for her beautiful soprano voice, her wonderful piano playing, and her devotion to her church. She was an avid quilter and had made many, many quilts which her children and grandchildren will cherish. Luanne grew up and lived in a small town all her life but was always concerned about world issues and the people they affected.
Luanne and Max had been married nearly 60 years when Luanne died at the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 12, 2010 at the age of 79 years, 6 months, and 7 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister Anna Rogene; and brother John Vern Clark.
Luanne is survived by her husband Max Bisbee of Macedonia; children, Nancy Raney and husband Mark of Macedonia, Barb Pedersen and husband Wayne of Ames, IA, and Jeff Bisbee of Macedonia; sister Phyllis Robinson of Shelby, Iowa; grandchildren, Adam Farver, Cari Potter, Chad Pedersen, Laura Pedersen, Sarah Holt, and Evan Bisbee; great grandchildren, Max Farver, Luke and Liam Farver; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
A memorial fund has been established.
Tributes
"How special was Luann? Special enough for my entire family to instantly feel we were part of her family the moment she greeted us. Rarely has my family felt such a heartbreaking loss, not just for those who knew her, but for those who never had the delight of knowing her. "
"Max and family, Luanne was such a very caring and gracious lady. We have known her all our lives and she was always there with a smile, a hug, or comforting words during some very difficult times in my families lives. Luanne was so giving of herself from Sunday School, confirmation, choir, school activities, community activties, sharing her musical talent but I believe the love she had for her family was her most precious gift. Luanne was so loved and respected by this community that she will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and I'm sure she is visiting with G & G Wilhelm and all the old neighbors as I type this. Love to all, Donna"
"Luann was such a special person, touching everyone she met with her kind, gentle spirit. We have so many memories of Luann and Gristmill, Donia Days, Macedonia Methodist Church, Sigma Gamma, and especially the amazing holiday Cantatas. Our years in Macedonia were made so much richer by knowing Luann and her wonderful family."
"Max and family, Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. I know Luann will be missed by everyone because she never met a stanger and always had a warm and friendly smile."
"Luann is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I enjoyed her smile and always kind words to me after my husband passed away.She was a very caring person to many people.She will be missed greatly by her family,friends,church,and the whole community.My sympathy to Max and their family and all that will sadly miss her."
"As next-door neighbors of Barb and Wayne and Barb's past fellow employee in the Gilbert Schools, we offer our condolences to the entire family, and especially to the Pedersons. A loss of a parent or grandparent is always a sad chapter in life, and a time when we look to our religious faith for assurance and comfort. Blessings to all of you!"
"To the family and friends of Luanne: It is just hard to believe reading about her death on-line, I hadn't heard she had been ill. Immediately my thoughts went back to growing up, I started taking piano lessons from her. However, she had always baked cookies before I arrived, so I wanted to eat the cookies rather than play the piano. She was a Sunday School teacher and we had the room with the rope to ring the bell of the church. We always tempted to ring it during our Sunday School class, imagine that she talked us out of it. Then the Christmas morning caroling with Franklin Stempel with the snow gentle falling - awesome sound and sight. And to the many times she offered her talents whether it be singing at funerals, Grist Mill, church choir, playing the piano and the list goes on and on. Our community has been blessed with a talented lady and will certainly be missed. She was so gracious when both of my folks passed away. May God bless her family and friends in the days ahead. "
" I remember the huge family picnics that we had in the Macadonia city park when I was a little girl and how much fun they were. LuAnn sang at my wedding. She was always such a warm caring person. The last time that I saw her was at my Mothers funeral 6 years ago. It had been so long since I had seen her that I didn't recognize her until after we had talked. I have always felt bad about that. I hope that all of your wonderful happy memories will bring you comfort."
"I also share fond Grist Mill memories of Luann! Beautiful lady with a wonderful voice, a lovely smile and caring personality. Sympathies to her family, her friends and church family. God's blessings to all of you. "
"Luann was such a wonderful lady. Always had a smile and an encouraging word whenever she saw you. I worked with her in GristMill and she was above all a professional. She will be greatly missed by her friends in the community and mostly by her family. My condolences to all she has left behind, but I know we will all meet again someday she goes to meet all those who we have said goodbye to and will take her place in the heavenly choir."
"My condolences to Luann's family, she was a wonderful lady. She always had a smile on her face when I seen her running around Macedonia. She will be missed by many people. Our thoughts and prayer's are with all the family at this sad time. Toni Casson and Family"
"Although I never met Luanne, she was exteremly kind to me. Several years ago, I had found a quilt that my deceased mother had started. Luanne hand quilted it and made it more beautiful with her own hands. I have always been very thankful to her. To her family, I am so sorry for yur loss and I am thinking of you and remembering her in prayer. "
"A beautiful woman gone, to Max and the Bisbee family, you should be very proud of Luann, she worked so hard and accompolished so many things in her life time. So please, walk with pride knowing all the great things she has done a woman like her will be very hard to replace within our great community. "
"Luann was like a second mother to me all of my life. She was going to teach me how to make pickles this summer. I feel like I've lost my mother all over again. My condolences to the Bisbee family, you are in my prayers. Love, Gerianne"
"Luann and I shared Grist Mill committee responsibilities together for several years and I found her to be such a warm, caring woman as well as a talented musician. She will be sadly missed by all who had the joy of knowing her. Our sympathy to all of her family."