In Memory of Ila Martha McMullen

Ila McMullen, age 92, of Battle Creek, Iowa (formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa), passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the Willow Dale Wellness Center of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 8, 2021, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Kevin J. Freese officiating. Private Family Committal Services will be held in the Morgan Township Cemetery of Schleswig, Iowa.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks and social distancing are encouraged. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.christensenvanhouten.com.

     Ila Martha (Jurgensen) McMullen, age 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 23, 2021. She was born June 26, 1928, to Herbert and Rose (Wellendorf) Jurgensen in Morgan Township of Crawford County, IA. She began country school in Morgan Township. The family then moved to Ida County, IA, in 1934 and Ila finished country school through 8^th grade in Hayes Township. She graduated valedictorian from Schleswig High School with the class of 1946 and went on to receive her teaching certificate from Buena Vista College to teach in rural schools. Ila taught two years at Hayes 6 Country School south of Arthur, IA.

     Ila married Robert McMullen of Manilla, IA, on June 6, 1948, at the Friedens Evangelical Church in Schleswig. The young couple moved to a farm near Manilla and later to the Arthur area where they purchased and operated McMullen’s Market. Ila and Robert were blessed with six children: Rick, Marcia, John, Claudia, Lori and Renea. In 1975 Robert passed away and Ila continued to raise the children and run the grocery store as well as being active in the Order of the Eastern Star and the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt, IA. McMullen’s Market was closed in 1984 and Ila started a new career path taking care of the elderly both in their homes and later working at Morningside Care Center for many years. Ila spent a short time after retirement working as a hostess for the Arthur Café.

     She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, Lawrence Welk music and spending time with her large family and friends. She will always be known for her ability to grow beautiful flowers which brought her and those around her much joy.

     She is survived by son Rick (Tina) McMullen of Redding, CA, daughter Marcia Miller of Grenada, CA, son John (Sherry) McMullen of Denison, IA, daughter Claudia McMullen of Des Moines, IA, daughter Lori (Mike) Iversen of Ida Grove, IA and daughter Renea (Rick) Nelson of Eagle Grove, IA. Ila leaves behind 12 grandchildren: Trevor McMullen of Redding, CA, Brad Miller of Layton, UT, Jodi Mottashed of Placerville, CA, Jean Wood of Montague, CA, Susan Miller of  Redding, CA, Callie Nemitz and Abbie Nielsen of Denison, IA, Ashley Hill, Max Sawyer, Jacinda Sawyer, Zoie Goldstone of Des Moines, IA and Andy Iversen of McCook Lake, SD. She was also blessed with 24 great-grandchildren.

     Ila was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert McMullen; parents Herbert and Rose Jurgensen; in-laws Claude and Alice McMullen; son-in-law Leo Miller; granddaughter Robbie McMullen; great-grandchildren Olivia and Griffin Nielsen.