Averill Joy Quirin

Averill Quirin, 97, entered the arms of her Heavenly Father Saturday, October 12, 2013, at her home in Marshalltown, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm, on Friday, October 25, 2013, at The Embers Community Room, with a celebration of life following in the community room with light refreshments. Burial will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at the Memorial Gardens in Sioux City, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchelfh.com. Mitchell Funeral Home is caring for Averill and her family. Phone 641-844-1234. Averill Joy Kerr was born March 14, 1916, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was the only and cherished child of Roy and Mae Kerr. She attended Sioux City Elementary schools including Whittier, East Junior High, and graduated from East High School in June of 1934. She attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, from June of 1934 through May of 1936. While she was in College, Averill was working at the Harmony Caf (its still there!) to help pay for her education. She was living at home with her parents. But..she had a boyfriend she had known for 6 years. Their friendship grew into love and Averill and Fred K. Sprague were married in June of 1936. They bought a house in Sioux City, Iowa where they resided. This union was blessed with two children, Sharon Dawn and Fred Nathan. Fred K. Sprague was a Stationary Engineer at the Methodist Hospital for 25 years and Averill was a Homemaker who enjoyed crafts, decorating the house, embroidery, crocheting, and sewing clothing for her children. Averill and Fred enjoyed school activities & programs with their children. They enjoyed their neighbors and friends, having picnics, playing cards, golfing, bowling, square dancing, gardening and raising flowers. After the children were grown and raised, they lived in Marshalltown, Iowa, and lived most of the remainder of their married years in the Storm Lake, Iowa, area. Fred passed away in 1977. Averill continued to enjoy life in Storm Lake; she worked at Resslers Drug, made many friends, joined the Methodist Church, was active in Ladies Aide, and joined a 500 group. In June of 1981 Averill married Louis Quirin, founder of Mellow Dent Seed Co. They worked together in the fields, testing, and perfecting the seed corn. They also enjoyed gardening and sharing their vegetables with friends & family. They spent the time they were not working traveling as much as they possibly could, especially to Hawaii, where they spent the winter months together. Louis passed away in 1988. Averill became active with the Sr. Citizens Center in Storm Lake, enjoying playing cards, penny bingo, and sharing meals with her friends. Averill looked forward to her yearly trips to see her beautiful daughter Sharon Dawn, her late husband Jim, and grandsons in Florida. She also enjoyed driving to Marshalltown to see her wonderful son Fred, his wife Carole, and her grand children there. Averill was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She adored her family and gave them all bushels of her love. In October of 2010, Averill moved to the Embers in Marshalltown, Iowa, where again she made many friends. Averill had a bubbly personality that caused her to be loved by many and easily make new friends every where she went. She enjoyed the community at the Embers, sharing meals, movies, playing cards, Farkle, and trips to the casino. Averill lived her 97 years to the fullest enjoying life with a smile. She leaves behind her children, 6 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many dear friends. Children: Sharon Hamilton, Lynne Haven, Florida, and Fred (Carole) Sprague, Marshalltown, Iowa. Grandchildren: Jimmie (Jennifer) Hamilton; Panama City, Florida; Scott (Michelle) Hamilton, Pensacola, Florida; Melissa Dawn Grant, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Stuart Sprague, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Steve (Paula) Sprague, Marshalltown, Iowa; and Linda (Scott) Brimmer, Marshalltown, Iowa. Great-grandchildren: Beckett, Sarah, Jenna, Alysia, Kiera, Ulysses, Bryanna, Shawn, Chandler, Kennedy, Mikayla, Josie, Jack, and J.P. She was preceded in death by her parents: Roy & Mae Kerr; her husbands: Fred K. Sprague and Louis Quirin; and her son-in-law, Jim Hamilton.