Pauline N. Tonkinson

Pauline N. Tonkinson, 95, of Yarmouth went to be with the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, after being at Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield. Born September 21, 1914 in Morning Sun, she was the daughter of Charles and Orpha Gibson Nichols. On February 12, 1936 she married Paul Tonkinson in Morning Sun at her parents' home. He preceded her in death on October 6, 1987. She and her husband farmed at Yarmouth. This not only included a large acreage on the edge of town, but also land west and south of the village. They owned and operated the Yarmouth Telephone Company from 1948 through 1958. She worked as a file clerk at the Mental Health Institute in Mt. Pleasant from 1963 through much of 1982. Mrs. Tonkinson was active in several churches in the southeastern Iowa area. In later years she was a member of a church missionary group who visited several large cities throughout the United States. She was a member of Sweet Adelines of Mt. Pleasant and Yarmouth Ladies Club, and was very active in Old Threshers. She was part of the Coffee Group of Yarmouth Café. She also served meals to school teachers. Mrs. Tonkinson was an avid Hawkeye fan; never missing a game by rad...[more]

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o or TV. Pauline and Paul had the large Christmas light display at Yarmouth for over 25 years which was known all across the Tri-State area as the "Yarmouth Christmas Lights". Survivors include two sons, Joe Tonkinson of Springfield, Missouri and Bruce (Dottie) Tonkinson of McCook, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Ted (Justina) Tonkinson of Garretson, South Dakota, Jill (Jake) Marzolf of Kearney, Nebraska, James Tonkinson of Houston, Texas, Toni Tonkinson of Springfield, Missouri and Tara (Casey) Lau of Bremerton, Washington; several great grandchildren; one sister, Corrine Owens of Wilcox, Arizona; one brother-in-law-Charles Tonkinson of Yarmouth; one sister-in-law, Opal Tonkinson of Yarmouth; and faithful friends Sue Dillon of Winfield and Ron Fortune of Morning Sun who watched over Mom. Her husband, Paul; daughter, Georgia M. Tonkinson; parents; sister, Birdie Schneider; and two brothers, Robert Nichols and Merlin Nichols preceded her in death. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 1st, in Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service for Mrs. Tonkinson will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 2nd, in First Assembly of God Church, Mt. Pleasant with the Rev. Walter Graffam officiating. Interment will be in Trinity Cemetery, Mt. Union. Memorials have been established for Old Threshers of Mt. Pleasant, First Assembly of God Church of Mt. Pleasant and Yarmouth Fire Department.