Myrle J. Jefson

FOREST CITY - Myrle J. Jefson, age 82 of Forest City, died Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.



Funeral service will be Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 1:30 PM at the United Methodist Church in Forest City with Pastor Jerald Swanberg officiating.



Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be Monday, October 8th from 5 to 7 PM at the funeral home and an hour prior to service at the church.



Myrle James Jefson was born in Ellington Township near Miller, Iowa on October 29, 1924 to Sam and Florence (Schlichting) Jefson. He received his education in Ellington and graduated from Forest City High School in 1942. Myrle enlisted in the Army and served three years in the European Theater in the 60MM Mortar Squad, G Company, 347th Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, 3rd Army under General George S. Patton. He earned a Purple Heart for wounds sustained during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.





Myrle farmed with his father for two years after the end of WW II. During this time he married Marjorie Zavitz on June 19, 1946 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. He started working for Forest City Motor Company operating a parts truck, then selling farm machinery and eventually General Motors vehicles and Winnebago Motor Homes. The Forest City Motor Company became Teslow Chevrolet-Oldsmobile and then Lichtsinn Motors. When Myrle retired in 1988 he was the Sales Manager.





Myrle was active in the community. He served 23 years on the Forest City Park Board. As a life member of the American Legion he held many official positions including Commander of Post 121 and Winnebago County, District Vice Commander and Commander, and Vice Commander for the State of Iowa. He was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce at the same time served on the 1955 Forest City Centennial Board. Myrle was a life-long member of the Forest City United Methodist Church.





Myrle enjoyed his life. He enjoyed his work as a salesman and the people he sold cars to. Myrle took many trips to Canada fishing and to Wyoming hunting. He thoroughly enjoyed the sport of golf. Myrle always said it wasnít the activity but the people with you and in this he was blessed with many great companions. Myrle loved his extended family and always looked forward to the two annual events: the July 4th Jefson Reunion and the Thanksgiving Day feast and football game.





Myrle is survived by his wife Marjorie of Forest City, Iowa. His son Monte and his wife Pauline (Poticha) Jefson of Wichita, Kansas. His son Mark, his wife Elizabeth (Martin) Jefson and their sons Jacob and Aaron and his daughter Lea, all of Anchorage, Alaska. Myrle is also survived by his sister Ruth (Jefson) Anderson of Forest City, Iowa and many nieces and nephews and their families.





Myrle was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Ian, his brother Lyle and his wife Velma Jefson, his brother-in-law Carroll Anderson and his niece Ellen and her husband, Dan Lehto.