George Laverne Slocum

George Slocum, age 96, of Glidden, died Sunday, August 2, 2009, at the Carroll Health Center in Carroll, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden with Rev. Dr. Michael Fitzsimmons officiating. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden after 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery near Glidden. Casket bearers will be grandsons: Scott Soyer, Tom Rees, Alex, Nick, and Ben DeVries, and Bart DeVries. George LaVerne, son of William and Effie (Howard) Slocum, was born March 21, 1913, on the family farm south of Ralston, Iowa. He attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Glidden High School in 1932 where he played football and basketball. On August 18, 1937, George was united in marriage with Lois Ellen Emmeck at the Methodist Parsonage in Carroll by the Rev. Claude. R. Cook. George worked in construction for a short time and then farmed until retiring in 1983. During retirement, he and Lois spent their winters in Branson, Missouri and their summers in Glidden. In 2003, he moved to the Carroll Health Center where he enjoyed the visits from school kids, playing bingo, and various other activities provided for the residents. George was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Glidden. During his years on the farm, he was active in the Coon Rapids Saddle Club, a square dance club, and a neighborhood card club. Throughout the years, he and Lois traveled to nearly every state and enjoyed camping outings with the Greene County Campers Club. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling, playing cards, dancing, raising horses and visiting with neighbors. Survivors include: two daughters Jane Soyer and husband Norm of Glidden and Lavonne Rees and husband Richard of Beeville, Texas; four grandchildren: Scott Soyer and wife Ann, Joni DeVries and husband Bart, Nancy Rees and Tom Rees and wife Sharon; six great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois in 2003, a brother Howard Slocum and wife Laura; a sister Pearl Slocum and several siblings-in-law.