Scenna M. Gorden

Scenna Mae Gorden was born November 22, 1926, the daughter of Gordon and Effie Rose Terrell. She died March 7, 2011, at the Dunlap Care Center in Dunlap, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four.
She was born and raised in Dunlap, Iowa. She attended school there until her junior year in high school. Hard times forced her to quit school and go to work at Daniels Hatchery in Dow City, Iowa. She also worked at a caf in Dunlap where she met George (Bill) Gorden while he was on leave from the Navy. They corresponded for several years until he finished his tour of duty. Scenna and Bill were married on October 22, 1945. They were blessed with the birth of three children. The couple made their home on the farm in rural Dow City. In 1973, they moved into a new home in Dow City.
Scenna always had a large garden, with a special love for roses and a knack for growing strawberries. Raising chickens and her passion for sewing also kept her busy. She would sew for the grandchildren when they were young and made quilts for many of them. She was a loving and caring wife and mother, and especially devoted to her grandchildren. After her children were grown, she received her GED and went to work at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital. She loved watching western movies, especially those starring John Wayne. She enjoyed wearing jewelry and also listening to country music.
After retiring, she and Bill looked forward to wintering in Texas or Arizona. Their travels also took them to Alaska, California, Florida, and Branson, Missouri, for the seasonal shows. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and attended the Methodist Church in Dow City.
Scenna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; one brother, Elmer; five sisters, Voy in infancy; Letha; Julia; Eleanor; and Jane; and three great-grandchildren, Jared, Trisha, and Dodge. Survivors include two sons: John and his wife, Deb; Byron and his wife, Sharon; one daughter, Teresa and her husband, David; eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, March 11, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Dow City, Iowa. Pastor Tom Petersen officiated the service and graveside rites held at the Dow City Cemetery in Dow City. Organist Judy Thams provided accompaniment for the congregational hymn, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."EveVonne Muff sang "In The Garden,"and "I Will Rise," and Sharon Gorden sang"The Old Rugged Cross." Serving as pallbearers were John Terwilleger, Austin Hartmann Ethan Hartmann, Chris Hartmann, Shawn Gorden, and Joe Simon. The family invited everyone to the Dow City Community Building for fellowship and lunch served by the Methodist Women. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements.