MYRA JEAN NEEDS, 85, of Cherokee, Iowa, formerly of Quimby, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at her home in Cherokee, Iowa surrounded by her family.
Visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service and time of sharing memories being held at 7:00 p.m. with Sue Ritts officiating at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Jean was born on July 8, 1939 to Charles and Mildred (Weathers) Huffman at Anthon, Iowa. She graduated from Anthon High School in 1957. She attended the School of Nursing in Cherokee, Iowa and earned her LPN nursing degree. She worked as a CNA for 5 years at Correctionville Nursing Home and as an LPN for 2 years at a nursing home in Storm Lake and then for 14 years at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute. She retired in 1994.
She was married to Donald Gehrke in 1957 and later married Donald Needs on September 5, 1980.
She was affiliated with the Methodist Church.
She was a member of the Red Hat Society in Nevada and enjoyed spending time with the ladies.
In her free time, she enjoyed growing flowers, reading, walking, loved watching the Chicago Cubs, and playing bingo with her friends. She liked wintering in Nevada and Arizona with Don over the years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Lisa Gehrke, stepson Norman Needs, 2 brothers and 3 sisters, maternal and paternal grandparents.
Jean will be lovingly remembered by her husband Donald of Cherokee, Iowa; children David Gehrke of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Randy Gehrke of Carroll, Iowa, and Tim (Lynora) Gehrke of Larrabee, Iowa; stepchildren Darwin (Lori) Needs of LeMars, Iowa, Robin (Rick) Steffen of Rifle, Colorado, and Cynthia Larson of Alta, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
