Ivan Lee Longfellow

Ivan farmed and operated Longfellow & Son Well Drilling. Ivan died at his winter home in Alamo, Texas January 15, 1998 of a heart attack. His obituary from the Bedford Times Press of January 28, 1998, page 5, column 2:

"Ivan Lee Longfellow

Ivan Lee Longfellow was born August 2, 1920 in Taylor County, Iowa to Henry and Alta Nash Longfellow. He completed grade school in the country and moved to Bedford so he could attend high school. He graduated in 1937. In 1939 Ivan married Thelma Joyce Polsely and moved to a farm six miles southwest of Clearfield. To this union were born five children:

Richard, Diana, Patricia, Connie (Deceased) and Dixie. Ivan helped his father dig water wells from 1934-1941. Ivan then purchased his own drilling rig and then went on to build a successful family corporation, where he spent the rest of his life involved in the family business.

Ivan was one of the founders and promoters of the Clearfield Lions Iowa State Fair Shuttle Bus Service developed in 1964. Running the shuttle buses at the Iowa State Fair was one of his many joys. While serving as president of the Clearfield Lions Club Ivan promoted and paiticipated in the construction of the Lions Club building. Ivan had also been a partner in an Oliver Implement dealership. He and Thelma built Clearfield's first and only Laundromat. Thelma passed away in 1968.

In 1969 Ivan married Marion Updike of Coming, lowa. They lived on the farm until 1974 and then moved into Clearfield. They enjoyed wintering in Texas. Marion died in 1993.

In 1995 Ivan became engaged to Arlene Hansell of Diagonal. She became his constant companion. They enjoyed the winters in Texas, and traveling together. Ivan passed away January 15 after a fun filled day with Arlene and friends at their winter home in Alamo, Texas.

Ivan was a meniber of the Clearfield United Methodist Church, Clearfield Lions Club,

Association of Drilled Shaft Coptractors, Masonic Lodge No. 458, Past President of the Iowa

Water Well Association and member of the Clearfield City Council.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alta Longfellow; brothers Carl and

Wilson Longfellow; daughter Connie Longfellow; wife Thelma Longfellow; and his second wife

Marion Updike LongIellow granddaughters, Pamela Pantry and Monica LongfelIow.

Left to cherish his memory are his fianc'ee Arlene Hansell and her family; Ivan's son Richard Longfellow and his wife Marlene of ClearfieId; daughter Diana Pantry and her husband Bud of Lancaster, Missouri; daughter Pat Kemery and her husband Wayne Blockton, Iowa; daughter Dixe Larsen and her husband Kenny of Clearfield, Iowa; stepdaughter, Sherry Rowbotham and husband Carroll of South Lake, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, and three step grandchildren; nine great grandchiIdren, five step great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; a sister Mary Hunter of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister in law, Delores Longfellow of Creston, Iowa; as well as nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

Services were held January 19, 1998 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Rev. Alan Rusk officiating. Burial was in CIearfieId Cemetery, Clearfield. Wilson-Watson & Armstrong was in charge of arrangements.