Lucille Wilson
June 21, 2021
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Service Details
Lucille Elizabeth Morgan Wilson, 95, passed away June 21, 2021 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lucille was born November 1, 1925 near Rising Sun, Iowa to parents, Grant and Alice (Ramberg) Dean. She was Class Valedictorian (1942) of Van Wert High School and received her teacher training from Simpson College. She also took additional classes at Drake University and Grandview College.
Lucille’s professional career included teaching for one year in rural Polk County, 35 years at the Iowa Conference Headquarters of the United Methodist Church, and following her retirement, an additional 17 years in part-time office positions at Temple B’nai Jeshurun.
Lucille had served as President and Treasurer of the Iowa Poetry Association and was Editor of the organization’s annual Lyrical Iowa and quarterly newsletter for 28 years. She was a board member and Treasurer of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, board member and Financial Secretary of the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike, and a 74-year member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she held several positions.
Lucille was the recipient of the Interfaith Service Award by the Des Moines Area Religious Council in 1996. She earned numerous awards in various state and national poetry competitions and had several of her works published. Excerpts from her poem, “In Any Language” has been read as part of the World Food Prize Award each year since 2004. She taught poetry for the Des Moines Senior College. In 2013, she was the first recipient of the Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award recognizing her 30 years with the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike.
Lucille is survived by her loving children, David Morgan, Paul (Cathy) Morgan, Craig (Debora) Morgan, Yvonne (Kevin) Kinzler, Brian Morgan, and Phyllis (Daryl) Copp; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous step grand- and step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Wilbur Morgan; second husband, Hubert Wilson; brother, James Dean; daughter-in-law, Lori Morgan; and great-granddaughters, Kate Kinzler and Lilly Longtin.
Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 800 E 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, also at the church, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago, IL and to Mainstream Living, Inc., Ames, IA.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Duane Skidmore
07/02/2021
Lucille was one of the most loving, compassionate, engaging, human beings Ive ever known. She was one of those saints that gave Christianity a good name. The church will miss her, indeed, the world will miss her.
Brenda (Dean) Smith
07/01/2021
I miss my Aunt Lucille greatly. Can remember holidays we spent with you guys growing up and her bread pudding. I wished I could have been at the funeral to visit with you all but moving took place.
Darlene Churchman
07/01/2021
Dear Family, My heart is sad today with yours. My friend is not with us for now,but we know Whose she is, and she is sharing her 'song' with loved ones There. Take her 'song' in her poems with you!
Natalie McClure Burnham
06/30/2021
Lucille was a humble, faithful and passionate servant organizing the annual Des Moines Area Hunger Hike whose mission is to increase community consciousness and concern about local and worldwide hunger and raise funds to help alleviate hunger. It was an honor to serve on the board with Lucille. Lets all hike to honor Lucille on Sunday, October 10, 2021 http://dsmhungerhike.weebly.com/
Beverly Mattix Green
06/30/2021
Lucille taught me about poetry while writing to me about pie. I'll always remember that.. Rest in peace, dear lady, under the apple trees.
Jeff Couch
06/30/2021
Our family knew Lucille as a vital part of the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike for so many years. Her welcoming smile could be counted on by those crossing the finish line of the Hike as she handed out I Took a Hike stickers. Please accept my condolences for your loss of such a fine mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Eleanor Berry
06/29/2021
Working with Lucille on the NFSPS Board was a privilege and a delight. I relied on her consistently thoughtful advice and her always meticulous attention to detail. Twenty years her junior, I tried in vain to emulate her energy. I still feel the warmth that she radiated to all her fellow poets.
Jon Albert
06/28/2021
Lucille will be deeply missed.
I celebrate her life and value her friendship.
Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Linda Banks
06/28/2021
I knew Lucille through NFSPS conventions, and always admired her. Always smiling and friendly, she was a poet I was always glad to see.
Elsie Naylor
06/28/2021
I knew Lucille when she was secretary at Temple b'nai Jeshurun and the Cantor, Lisa Levine, and I were working together to establish the DM Diversity Chorus. I also talked with her at various DMARC functions. She was involved and gracious in her activities -- we still need more volunteers like that! My sympathy to all her family.
Julie Cummings
06/28/2021
May Lucille rest in peace. I have so many memories of sharing poetry and pie with her. There were many late night readings at conventions and wonderful moments of laughter. Please accept my sincere condolences. Lucille will be missed by so many.
Stanley Malless
06/27/2021
I'll be forever grateful to have shared with her a poet's love.
Mike Wilson
06/27/2021
My deepest condolences to the family of Lucille M Wilson. She was a wonderful person who touched so many lives with her wit and kindnesses. Her life is an example of how serving others can elevate oneself so much as well. And what an extraordinary poet she was.
Reggie and Sherry Bell
06/26/2021
God has taken one of his angels home. I knew Ms.Wilson through her mailings at the US Postal BMEU. I often teased Ms. Wilson about a poem I submitted. There was more red ink on my submission. I told her it brought back bad memories I experienced in school. I've lost.a true friend. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family.
David M. Gradwohl
06/25/2021
My condolences to the family of Lucille Morgan Wilson, a very fine and respected woman. I had the pleasure of associating with Lucille through the Iowa Poetry Association and Temple b'nai Jeshurun. Her legacy lives on in the many contributions she made to ourr society.