Iola Arlene Schademann-Fox-Gaffey, the daughter of Albert and Margaret (Cegavska) Schademann was born on January 19, 1923 at Primrose, Nebraska. She attended school at District #22 near Primrose, then attended elementary and high school at Albion.
On October 1, 1940 Iola was united in marriage to Vernie Fox at Mankato, KS. They moved back to the Boone County area. They traveled and built houses. In 1960 the couple moved back to Albion where Iola worked as a housewife, and other various jobs. They then moved to Mason City, IA, and in 1992 Vernie passed away. Iola moved to Valley Falls, KS. On May 17, 1996 Iola was united in marriage to Merlyn Gaffey at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Valley Falls. In 1997 they moved to Muscotah, KS.
Iola was a member of the St. Leo Catholic Church in Horton, KS. She was also a member of the VFW Auxilary #3084 in Valley Falls, and the Senior Citizens Center in Muscotah. Iola will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a wonderful cook.
On Monday, February 20, 2006 Iola passed away at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, KS at 83 years of age.
She is survived by her husband Merlyn of Muscotah, KS; 7 children: Lester Fox and wife Karen of Ashland, NE; Shirley Berney and husband Jerry of Norfolk, NE; Linda Plummer and husband Keith of Lincoln, NE; Vernie Fox and wife Eva of Valley Falls, KS; Karen Galasaka and husband David of Omaha, NE; Clara Hartson and husband Rodney of Ruthton, MN; Fred Fox and wife Robin of Mason City, IA; 28 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; sister Lavonne Olnes and husband Lowell of Petersburg, NE; brother Lester Schademann and wife Dorothy of Albion; along with many other relatives and friends.
Iola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernie, brother Marvin; 2 grandchildren: Jason Cemper and Lynn Fox, and 1 great-grandchild Elijah Kurtz.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion with Fr. Stan Schmitz officiating. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service at the Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE. Memorial Services will be at a later date in Kansas.
