Inez Abel

Inez Abel, 72 of Atlantic, Iowa, and formerly of Walnut, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic.

Inez Bernice Abel was born July 8, 1938, the sixth of 14 children born to Joseph Emmett and Mary Ella (Frink) Linfor. She lived on the family farm until they moved to town in 1957. Inez attended Grant and Jackson Elementary Schools and Atlantic High School. She quit school two months before graduation to care for her younger siblings. Inez was united in marriage to Donald Abel on July 3, 1962, in Bellevue, Nebraska. The couple lived in Atlantic until 1968 when they moved to a farm near Walnut. In 1970 they moved into Walnut.

She was employed as a cook and waitress at the Iowa Whitney Hotel and Café, and later worked at Atlantic Upholstery. She eventually started her own upholstery business, which began in her basement, moved into her garage, and then to the house she purchased next door.

Inez was a member of the Women's Auxiliary at the American Legion. She also belonged to "The Diet Club" that met once a week, mainly for fun and socializing. She made many life long friends through this club.

Inez was fun, loving, sweet, energetic and witty. She loved to play cards and will be remembered for her hand signals to her partner when she cheated at Pitch. She enjoyed visiting with her neighbors on the porch swing and summer drives in the convertible with Don. She was the "Mother of My Heart" to her special nieces and nephews and they will miss their Aunt Iny.

Inez was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Linfor; her husband, Don Abel; and her siblings, Georgia Veach, Mary Ann Logue, John Linfor, Larry Linfor, Bill Linfor, Marcia Erlacher, and Sadie Faye in infancy.

She is survived by her siblings, Joseph Linfor, Jr. of Greeley, Colorado, Myrtle Hughes of Atlantic, Lois Schmitt of Atlantic, Dennis Linfor of Lewis, David (Judy) Linfor of Eufaula, Alabama, and Rick (Kathy) Linfor of Atlantic; special great nieces and nephews, Sebastian, Joel, Madison, Austin, Taylor and Jenna; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, February 21, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with a luncheon in the Hockenberry community room following the service.

Graveside service will be Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at 2:30 p.m., in the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.