In loving memory of

Elmeretta "Etta" Koon
April 27, 1922 - March 18, 2019

Elmeretta "Etta" Koon, 96, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Monday morning, March 18, 2019, at Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A celebration of Etta's life will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday, March 23, 2019, Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held prior to the services from 9:30 A.M. until 11 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa.

Elmeretta Bowman was born on April 27, 1922 on a farm west of Maquoketa to Elmer and Nora (Edson) Bowman. She attended Maquoketa schools graduating in 1940. She attended Bussell's Beauty School of Cosmetology in Davenport and returned to Maquoketa where she worked in her sister Lola Goodall's beauty shop.

She married Dale L. Koon on February 3, 1943 at the Methodist Church in Davenport, Iowa. When Dale went to the Army, she followed him and worked in several beauty shops in Texas and Kentucky. After the war, she returned to Maquoketa and opened her own beauty shop until 1956. She later worked at the Sears Catalog Store in Maquoketa.

Etta had been a member of the Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school and then became a member of the United Church of Christ where she served on several boards. She had also volunteered with Meals-On-Wheels in Maquoketa for over 20 years.

Etta loved traveling. She and Dale went on trips to numerous states and spent many years going camping with a group of special friends. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family for every holiday, especially Christmas. She also enjoyed sending cards to church members, family and friends.

Those left to honor her memory include her two sons, Michael D. Koon and his wife, Diana of Sarasota, FL, and David L. Koon and his wife, Judy of Maquoketa, IA; two grandsons, David Jr. of Des Moines, and Jeffery and his wife, Annmarie and their two daughters, Julia and Marissa of Livonia, MI; and two step grandsons, Shawn Payment and his wife Susan of Johns Island, SC, and Stephen Payment and his wife Brandi and her son Christan of Orlando, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale on July 9, 2010, a grandson Jeremy Koon on January 17, 2013, sisters Beaulah Bowman Schenk and husband Edwin and Lola Bowman Goodall and husband Ray, brothers Kenneth and wife Laura and Edelman and wife Zelda.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Jackson County or the United Church of Christ in Maquoketa.

Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.

Tributes

Joyce Hardin Babbitt wrote on Mar 4, 2021:

"I remember Etta\'s beautiful smile and her kindness to my mom, Lola Hardin. Etta always sat next to her when they were at Clover Ridge before my mom passed. Etta had a lovely elegance. I\'m sure you will all miss her."

Rhonda Brockhouse wrote on Mar 25, 2019:

"Dear Dave and Mike first I am so sorry I missed your moms services. I was looking for it in the Qc times I am just sick about it! I loved your mom! She told such great stories and the best one I have is her and I one snuck a cigarette behind a camper up in Bellevue! We laughed so hard! Uncle Butch and I did go see her last fall and got to say goodbye. She was so sweet. Love to you and your families,!"

Nancy Rutenbeck wrote on Mar 20, 2019:

"Dave and Judy I will have to work so will not be able to see you. Please know I am thinking of you and send my deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Keep the memories close and she will always be with you. Nancy R"

Marcia Heide Bloore wrote on Mar 19, 2019:

"Mike and Dave and families, Sending condolences to you all. I have fond memories of your mom when all of the neighborhood kids would play at your house as kids. Your mom is the last neighborhood parent to go. What a great life! Marcia Heide Bloore"

Sue, Paul and Libby Robinson wrote on Mar 19, 2019:

"Aunt Etta was a great storyteller and kept us connected to Grandma Lola after her death in so many ways. My Grandma told us my favorite story when we were small about Etta being born at 2 lbs. in a time where there were no incubators or NIC units. We were shocked when she showed us how big 2 pounds was and said oh no! Didn't you think she would die? Where did she sleep? Grandma said of course, we were sure she would be gone in the morning every night. We put her in a shoe box filled with cotton flannel, lined it with bottles of hot water, covered her in cotton balls so it wouldn't be to heavy for her to breathe and then a layer of cotton flannel to keep the heat in but she was there every morning and she got bigger and healthier. We kids were in awe of her surviving and what a fighter she was. We knew how special she was. I sent her a teddy bear some years back for Christmas and she said she'd never owned one before. Told me about a doll she had when she was young but how she'd left it in the park one day after playing and missed her at bedtime. how cried and cried to go back for her. I began to miss her when she no longer knew me at our visits, she fought then to remember and all I had to do was say Lola's grand daughter and her eyes would light up and tell story after story. I am so glad we have some video stories she told on those visits. You will be missed always and in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace Dear Auntie, We love you. "

Martha Riniker wrote on Mar 19, 2019:

"So sorry for your loss "

Roger and Sheila Baustian wrote on Mar 18, 2019:

"Aunt Etta was a gem! She always made me laugh, but I will always remember her great big hugs! I could not count how many times she wondered why God called my Dad Home before her! God only knows what His plans are for all of us. But I am pretty sure He has His plans for all of us! I will miss you forever Aunt Etta...until we meet again in Heaven! ?????? ?"