Loretta Sawyer

Loretta A. Sawyer, 91, of Marshalltown, died Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Villa del Sol with her family by her side. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Stavanger Friends Church. Burial will be in Stavanger Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice or Stavanger Friends Church. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been caring for Etta and her family. Ph 641-844-1234. Loretta Alice Harem was born on July 18, 1917, in rural Marshalltown. She was the daughter of Ed and Serena (Williamson) Harem. She graduated from Dunbar High School. After graduation, Etta worked in New York as a nanny and housekeeper. On February 25, 1939, Etta married Wilbert Sawyer at the Friends Church parsonage in Marshalltown. The couple farmed in rural Marshalltown their entire married lives. Loretta moved to Villa del Sol in 2003. Etta was a member of Stavanger Friends Church and the Sewing Circle. She enjoyed flower gardening, watching birds, nature, sewing, cooking, and being outside. She is survived by her children, Allen Butch (Dorthy) Sawyer of Allison, IA, Dave (Barb) Sawyer of LeGrand, IA, and Chary (Gary) Hutzel of Scottsbluff, NE; her 10 grandchildren; her 16 great-grandchildren; her 2 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In death, she has rejoined her parents; her husband, Wilbert, who died in 1987; her 9 siblings; and one great-grandchild.