Lucile Ticknor

Lucile M. Ticknor, 94, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at her home in Anita.

Lucile Marie Whetstone was born on January 18, 1914, in Guthrie County, Iowa, the daughter of Walter Raymond and Margaret Mae (Sloss) Whetstone. She grew up in Guthrie County and attended Casey High School until transferring to Guthrie Center to complete high school and pursue Normal Training. Lucile then received her teaching certificate in Creston, Iowa.


On May 28, 1938, she married Allen Ticknor in Maryville, Missouri. They lived the first three years of their marriage in Casey, Iowa, and then moved to the farm north of Anita in the spring of 1942. In June of 2008, they moved to their current home in Anita. They enjoyed spending the winters together in Arizona for over 30 years.

Lucile taught in three Guthrie County country schools for 5 years. Her first job was at Bear Grove Country School where she earned $35 a month teaching 28 pupils in 8 grade levels. A past student recently remarked that Lucile was the best teacher she ever had.

She was baptized and a member of the United Brethren Church in Guthrie County. After their marriage, she became a member of the Casey United Methodist Church and was currently a member of the Anita United Methodist Church, where she had been a member for over 65 years. She was active as a Sunday school teacher, was a member of the church board, and served on several committees.

Lucile was very involved with the youth of the community and was active in 4-H serving as a leader and on several county committees. Lucile and Allen were dedicated foster parents for many years. She was a loving mother and cherished the time she spent with her family. Lucile always welcomed company and was always ready to serve them a hot meal. There was never a correspondence she threw away, saving all cards and letters from family and friends. Lucile was a talented seamstress and enjoyed crafting. She loved animals, especially the ponies she and Allen raised on their farm.

Lucile is survived by her husband, Allen of Anita, Iowa; her daughter, Peggy (Larry) McLaughlin of Decatur, Illinois; her daughter-in-law, Sharon Ticknor of Camdenton, Missouri; her foster children, James (Linda) Stanley of Harlan, Iowa, Donald Stanley of Irwin, Iowa, Bonnie (Steve) Petersen of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Hans (Keiko) DeRocher of Austin, Texas and Harold DeRocher of Sterling, Colorado, her grandchildren, Mark (Jennifer) McLaughlin of Lynchburg, Virginia, Brad (Buffy) McLaughlin of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Diane (Dan) Sweetwood of Auburn Hills, Michigan, Kirk (Wendy) Ticknor of Columbus, Georgia, Lisa (Tim) Loseke of Hickman, Nebraska, Kristin (Darrin) Schmidt of Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Erin and Sean McLaughlin of Lynchburg, Virginia, Ellary and Collin McLaughlin of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Claire and Benjamin Sweetwood of Auburn Hills, Michigan, Robert and John Ticknor of Columbus, Georgia, Benjamin, Nathaniel and Nicholas Loseke of Hickman, Nebraska and Ryan, Samuel and Miles Schmidt of Omaha, Nebraska; foster grandchildren, Tom (Kristen) Stanley and their children, Alia, Colton and Lucas of Harlan, Iowa, Rita (Kerry) Harris and their children Taylor and Presley of Omaha, Nebraska, Kim (Denise) Petersen and their son, Joshua of Des Moines, Iowa, Robert (Michelle) Petersen of Gainesville, Florida, Shawn Stanley of Des Moines, Iowa and Renee of Irwin, Iowa, and Shane DeRocher of Austin, Texas; her brother, Walter (Elsa) Whetstone of Guthrie Center, Iowa.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Keith Ticknor; and her siblings, Bessie Maas, Burton Whetstone, Helen Wright, Veryl Whetstone, Marjorie Paullin, Meryl Whetstone and Kenneth Whetstone in childhood.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 12, 2009, at the United Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa, with the Reverend Bonnie Peterson officiating.

Burial will be in the Dalmanutha Cemetery in Casey, Iowa.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., January 11, 2009, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita.

Memorials may be made to the Anita United Methodist Church, Anita Library or the American Cancer Society.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements