Marian Mccord

Marian Elizabeth McCord was born at Sanborn, Iowa, August 5, 1917, the daughter of Forrest and Frances Horn Chandler. The family moved to Sheldon, Iowa where she was raised and graduated from high school. She furthered her education at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1938, followed by graduate work in Boston, Massachusetts. On March 8, 1941, Marian was united in marriage with Harold E. McCord at Denison, Iowa. Their union was blessed with four daughters, Frances, Rebecca, Merry and Ruth. They made their home briefly in Ames, Iowa before moving to Indianapolis. Harold was drafted in the service in 1943 and Marian returned to Denison during that time and commuted to Harlan, Iowa, to teach science. Upon Harold?s discharge in 1946 they purchased the Nielsen Hotel in Denison, Iowa operating it and the Colonial Kitchen Restaurant within the hotel until selling the business in 1965. From that time until retiring at age 70, Marian was employed as the Dietician for area nursing homes, hospital and the Denison Community Schools. Harold died April 9, 1980 and Marian continued to make her home in Denison. In her retirement years Marian remained an active member of the community where she tutored at the Denison Jobs Corps Center and established the most recent Al-Anon Chapter in Denison. For her many years of service and volunteering, Marian received Rotary?s Paul Harris Community Service Award. In earlier years she was one of the leading fundraisers for the construction of the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, cooking, weaving, playing bridge, was an avid reader, and could be described as a life long learner. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison, AAUW, DAR, Eastern Star, Hosta Society and Bridge Clubs. Marian died Thursday evening, October 2, 2008 at the Reed House in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 91 years, 1 month and 27 days. Including her parents, Forrest and Frances Chandler, and her husband, Harold E. McCord, Marian was also preceded in death by three grandchildren, Edward Whitman, Jr., Megan Roberts and Danielle Kee, one brother, Howard Chandler and one sister, Louise Green. Those remaining to cherish her memory include her four daughters, Frances and husband, Kent Hutcheson of Ida Grove, Iowa, Rebecca and husband Ric Clymer of Nashville, Tennessee, Merry Jo Whitman of Memphis, Tennessee and Ruth and husband, Andy Locklin of Birmingham, Alabama, ten grandchildren, Brooke Mehaffey, Alexis Kee, Christian Clymer, Gretchen Lowe, John Roberts, Hal Roberts, Chandler Whitman, Jay Locklin, Matt Locklin and Thomas Locklin, ten great grandchildren, other relatives and friends and her faithful canine companion, Max. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 6, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Alberta officiating and Christian Clymer serving as Eulogist. Music for the service included David Mehaffey playing a Mandolin solo, "Amazing Grace", Sue Rosener singing "Be Thou My Vision" accompanied by Mandolinist David Mehaffey and Pianist, Nancy Miles, and the congregation singing "Old Rugged Cross" and " Hymn of Promise". Those serving as honorary pallbearers were Ellen Nelson, Wayne and Kay Rydberg, Leota Hall and Sandra Stamp. Pallbearers were Marian?s grandsons, Christian Clymer, John Robers, Hal Robers, Jay Locklin, Matt Locklin and Thomas Locklin. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison, Iowa. Following the interment everyone was invited to return to the church and join the family for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the First United Methodist Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison was in charge of arrangements.