Myrtle Sexauer
March 23, 2015
Myrtle L. Sexauer
Ankeny
Myrtle L. Sexauer was born February 22, 1917 in a house on the family farm in Ankeny, Iowa, and lived there while attending Ankeny schools. She graduated from Capital City Commercial College (4 C’s) in Des Moines, where she was a member of the Pioneer Club.
In 1982, she retired from John Deere Des Moines Works after 32 years as secretary to six General Managers. Myrtle was very involved in her community and in 1995 was inducted into the “Ankeny Alumni Hall of Honor.” In 1998, she was selected as Ankeny’s “Citizen of the Year.”
She was a life-long member of Ankeny First United Methodist Church, a member and past president of the Ankeny Area Historical Society, and a member of the Ankeny Alumni Association. She was a proud member of the Republican Party where she served as a Committee Woman at caucuses and as a delegate to county, district, and state conventions.
Throughout her lifetime, Myrtle cared about and cared for many; the sick, those who were alone, the elderly, neighbors, her friends, and family. She was generous with both gifts and her time. She was passionate about her faith, her heritage, her friends and her family. She was referred to as “Ankeny’s Angel,” leaving goodies and gifts at the doors of those she cared for, and leaving quietly as if on wings.
Her love of poetry and the written word was passed along to all who knew her in the form of a book as a gift or as a collection of meaningful articles as enclosures. Myrtle was quite prolific herself and left us with these words in 1997. When asked if she was happy, she penned: “Yes, I am at peace with myself, and perhaps that is even more valuable than being happy. At least for now it’s a pretty good feeling. Knowing for sure that life not only goes on, but can be very good – that kind of peace brings its own happiness.”
Myrtle passed away March 23, 2015, at Sunny View Care Center, at the age of 98. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut Street in Ankeny, with visitation one hour prior to service time. A private burial will be held at Greenwood Friends Cemetery in Ankeny.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her mother and father, Cora and Hallet (H.M.) Sexauer, her brother Harvey Sexauer, her sister Edith Sexauer Bruce, her brother-in-law Phillip Klopfenstein, her sister-in-law Evelyn Sexauer, and her niece Georgiana “Jo” Brown.
She is survived by her sister Lavonne Klopfenstein of Winfield, Iowa and her nieces and nephews Corinne Mitchell, Donna Thompson, Steve, Kim, and Dr. Ned Klopfenstein. She is the great aunt of 9 and the great, great aunt of 8. Aunt Myrtle took her position as “Aunt” very seriously and with great pride. She will be “greatly” missed.
Memorial contributions may be given to Ankeny First United Methodist Church or to the Ankeny Historical Society.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
JJ Damman
04/14/2016
She was my mom's best friend in Iowa. We lift up our prayers for her family and many friends.
Janet Ague-Kennedy
03/06/2016
I am just now aware of Myrtle's passing. She was a kind friend of my family and we all remember her with much affection. She worked with my brother Gene Ague at Deere. I live in California and my daughter Kate Ague and I send our condolences to the family of this very special person.
Mike and Betty Perry
03/26/2015
I met Myrtle shortly after arriving in Ankeny in the 60's as a student teacher and then a teacher and counselor. I worked with her niece Corinne @ DMACC and we were close friends of hers, Bob and Virginia Koch.
When I would stop by Vintage Hills she always knew who I was and teased us often about what nice people we were and it was hard to understand how we could Cyclone Fans and Democrats!!!!!!
She always said it with a grin and an ornery twinkle in her eyes.
When she found out one evening @ Benchwarmers that our son was single, she did her best to introduce him to a young lady whose family she knew that was at the next table.
We will miss her smile, positive attitude and her teasing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family at this most difficult time.
Forest and Lois Wipperling
03/26/2015
Met Myrtle only once, but she left a lasting impression. She obviously was a gift to many. Our condolences to the family, especially to my sister-in-law, Donna who loved her Aunt Myrtle. She was her sunshine.
Paula Erie
03/26/2015
So sorry to hear about Myrtle! I have heard so many wonderful things about her from Donna and my Dad! Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time of loss!
Mary Jo West
03/25/2015
Myrtle has my complete respect being the grand lady & friend she was. I worked with her at John Deere and she was the best. She even came to Arizona & stayed with us for a couple of days and we had a great time with her.. She leaves quite a trail behind her.
Linda Donahue
03/25/2015
I was saddened to read of Myrtle's passing in the newspaper today. I am mindful of a generation we continue to lose. My Mother Marcella had such fun with Myrtle at their annual "Cousins Get Together" . We treasure each of the enclosures tucked inside greeting cards she sent to us. Heaven is rejoicing with Myrtle today.
Sue Kiersey Bush
03/25/2015
I was just wondering about her the other day - sorry for her passing but she had the kind of wonderful life I hope I can say I had --- there have been a few women in my life that I have aspired to be like and Myrtle was one of them - I can remember whenever I was at Donna's and she was there I was in awe of this woman.
Carol Imwalle
03/25/2015
Cousin Myrtle was clearly a very special woman, so giving of herself to others. Although I live in California and have not seen her for years, we did write, and I will always remember her bright joyous spirit. I am so grateful that she kept me connected to my mother Marie's (Viola Marie Piekenbrock Imwalle) family in Iowa.
JoAnn Kochheiser Adamson
03/25/2015
Myrtle was a very special person and role model throughout my life. Her nieces, Donna and Corrine have been life-long friends. She knew so much about 'old Ankeny' and enjoyed sharing the memories. While in high school, I too was gifted with a couple of books, that I still have today. She was my husband, Terry's, favorite Republican. He has a story to tell about that. He loved to tease her, I can still hear her giggle. We loved her & her memory will be forever treasured.
Roxanne Hugley
03/25/2015
Having grown up in Ankeny, of course I knew the Sexauer name, but only when my mother, Evelyn Rigby, moved to Mill Pond, did I meet Myrtle. She was vivacious, very upbeat and friendly, and always very stylish. She invited us to her apartment, and shared numerous momentos of historic Ankeny, as well as many pictures and stories of her family, of which she was so proud. I will always remember her, and am so glad I had a chance to get to know her.
Glen Erickson
03/25/2015
I had a long-time friendship as a co-worker and friend with Myrtle. She was indeed very special in many ways.
Raquel
03/25/2015
I worked with Myrtle, she was always so happy, and she was always smiling. She loved talking about her family. She will be missed by many. I loved working with her everyday she made us all laugh. R.I.P
Mel and Sandy McCleary
03/24/2015
Myrtle truly was a friend to all, and even though we were cousins, she was always like an aunt to us. She was the "Grand Dame" of Ankeny for sure. We had many good times with her, and no thanks to my father she was the brunt of many jokes and pranks. We all loved her very much, and she will be dearly missed. She is knocking on those pearly gates for sure.