Russ O'Harra Hosta Society
In Memorium
September 15, 2019
Deke Gleim passed away on September 14, 2019. He was a member of the Iowa Arboretum, Brenton Arboretum, Gardeners of America, Russ O'Hara Hosta Society, Iowa Nut Growers Association, Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation. He enjoyed gardening, being a naturalist, hiking, canoeing, watching wildlife and reading.
August 20, 2017
Herman Kopitzke, a charter member of Russ O'Harra Hosta Society who had been very active with us, including serving as an officer, passed away on Friday August 19 at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Visitation is on Tuesday, August 22, 10am until 11am. Funeral service is at Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, followed by military honors burial. Memorials can be sent to Iowa Kidsight Program (Helen & Herman were very active with this Lion's Club program) and Iowa Arboretum (Herman was long time board secretary). A wonderful man who will be very missed.
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January 7, 2015
Doyle Woods passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Sunday, January 4. Those in the Indianola area knew him well. Ellen Glasgow commented, "His love of hosta was what got Frank and I interested in collecting. He was a great man, so kind and generous."
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 10th, at the United Methodist Church in Indianola.
December 20, 2014
After a remarkable battle with cancer, Jackie Kay Shedd died on December 14, 2014 in Winterset, IA.
August 20, 2014
Memorial Gathering for Marlys Anderson
Ruth Ann Van Vark, Robin Vos and Ron Humeston invite you to join them to celebrate a life that touched so many ... Marvelous Marlys Anderson. The gathering will take place on Sunday, August 24 at 3 p.m. in Marlys� beloved gardens located at 104 Blue Gill Court, Pella, Iowa. Come one, come all, and share in Marlys� love of hosta, love of nature, love of family and friends.
March 12, 2014
ROHS President Marlys Anderson was known to many as "Marvelous Marlys". She put up a valiant fight against cancer for over a year and has been an inspiration to many. Her struggle came to an end on February 17, 2014, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.
May 2, 2013
A memorial service will be held for Rick Innis at the Eagles Lodge on Hwy 1 in Iowa City, at 11 AM - 2 PM Saturday, May 11, 2013. Family and friends are welcome to join this Celebration of Life ceremony and luncheon.
Ricky Dale Innis, 66, died suddenly in his home Saturday morning April 27, 2013. His body was given to Organ Donors of Iowa and then cremated. A memorial service will be held at the Eagles Lodge on Hwy 1 in Iowa City, at 11am-2pm Saturday May, 11, 2013. Family and friends are welcome to join this Celebration of Life ceremony and luncheon.
Ricky was born (1946) and raised in Grinnell, Iowa and graduated Grinnell High School class of 1965. He was one of the original "Baby Boomers" born 9 months to the day his father, Virgil D Innis returned from the Navy to his wife Betty Maxine (Beam-Hill), after WWII. He went on to school at Marshalltown Community College and finished his schooling at the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor's of Science degree.
Rick married Teresa Adams, his high school sweetie, on July 23, 1966. To this union was born daughter Stacey (Paul) Flemr of Nichols, IA and son, Aaron Innis of Iowa City.
Rick had many passions including bicycling, gardening, reading, traveling, bird watching, music, fishing with Aaron, playing cards, cooking, following his grandchildren in their various activities and sports, spending time with friends and adored family and not least of all, bleeding Black and Gold with and for the amazing Hawkeyes. Rick had a great sense of humor and was an inspiration to so many. He touched so many lives with his kindness and love.
Rick and Teresa retired to Newburg, IA in 2007. He is survived by his wife, children, 4 grandchildren (Jessica, Adam, Megan and Madelyn), 3 great-grandchildren (Bradley, Ethan and Elizabeth) and his sister Janet (Lyle) Brown of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his parents.
April 28, 2013
I received a call from Teresa Innis earlier this morning, and I am still in shock. Rick Innis died suddenly Friday night of an apparent massive heart attack.
He had spent the day at the Drake Relays watching his granddaughter, Maddie, participate, and then enjoyed a quiet evening at home with Teresa. There had been no indication that he wasn't feeling well.
His body has been donated to Organ Donors Iowa. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Rick and Teresa's garden is to be featured on the ROHS Garden Tour, and Teresa said that she still plans to do that as it will give her something to focus on.
Please keep Teresa and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
April 24, 2013
Benefit for David Williams
ROHS member Anne Lynam emailed an article to me yesterday from the Atlantic, Iowa newspaper about former ROHS member, David Williams, who is battling pancreatic cancer.
The community of Atlantic where he lives is holding a Benefit silent auction and dinner for him on
April 27th.
http://www.kjan.com/index.php/2013/04/benefit-planned-for-atlantic-man-on-april-27th/
David was one of the first hosta friends I made and was in both the ROHS and Shady Choice clubs when I discovered hostas and hosta clubs in 2002. The first time I met him was when he gave a talk on hostas in my garden in Corning for my local gardening group that summer. I always enjoyed my conversastions with David as well as visiting his business in Atlantic in the spring each year.
Please keep David in your thoughts and prayers, and please consider donating to the benefit fund to help with his medical and living expenses.
Thank you,
Reldon Ramsey
March 9, 2013
Mary Dawson Dunbar (April 10, 1937 - March 5, 2013)
Audra Wilson called with news of Mary Dunbar dying of a stroke March 5th. Mary and her husband Bill were dedicated ROHS members for many years. Mary served as ROHS historian for a long period of time. She took her historian job very seriously, taking pictures and keeping records in albums. Audra felt Mary was a huge help when ROHS hosted the 2004 AHS National Convention and an overall asset to our hosta society.
August 20, 2012
Marvin "Mike" Lemke (1921 - 2012)
Audra Wilson called with sad news of the passing of ROHS charter member, Mike Lemke, at age 90. Mike had suffered strokes recently and was in a rehabilitation facility where he suffered a fall and consequently died.
Mike and his wife had not been able to be active ROHS members in recent years, but they were charter members and very supportive of the club when able. Their garden was featured on the 2004 AHS National Convention and was awarded the AHS President's Award. Mike was a well-respected man. He served our country in World War II and made a difference in many lives in many ways.
Condolences to the Lemke family for their loss of a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Memorial services will be Saturday, August 25, at 11 AM at the Olivet Baptist Church, located at 2743 82nd Place, Urbandale.
July 7, 2012
Thank you!
Click to read a special thank you from Marlys.
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May 30, 2011
Ted Davidson, long time member of the ROHS died May 26, 2011. What a kind, good man he was.
Ted found great joy in gardening. Ted and Ann's garden was featured on the Midwest Hosta Convention Tour just last summer. Ted was very proud of their collection of Russ O'Hara hostas. Their garden was lovely reflecting Ted's admiration of nature.
For years, I ran into Ted and Ann at every garden-related event I attended. It got to be a fun joke. I'd say, "I wonder if Ann and Ted will be there". I always looked forward to seeing them. Usually they were volunteering, helping out with the event.
Ted will be missed. He really made a difference in many lives in so many ways. Thankfully, Ted is at peace now. Heaven most surely is a lovely, tranquil garden. Condolences to Ann and family.
April 14, 2011
Condolences to Rick and Teresa Innis, on the loss of their loved one, Rick�s father. Virgil always called hostas �hostages�. He�d ask Rick if they had gotten any new �hostages�. Everybody else had hostas, but Virgil had �hostages�.
April 4, 2011
Long-time ROHS member, Helen Groeneveld, lost her battle with cancer after suffering a stroke on March 27, 2011. She and her husband, Dean, have opened their "Hide-away Garden" for garden tours many times throughout the years. Their garden has a wonderful display of hostas, daylilies, and an assortment of other sun-loving plants and small water features. Garden art can be seen at throughout the garden. Helen loved to open their garden, and she often displayed her paintings during garden tours. She was a gracious hostess always making sure her guests were having a good time. Hosting a garden tour is a gift given to others. She was a very generous, caring, and giving person. Helen will be missed in the folds of the ROHS.
Helen and Dean's garden is slated to be included on the 2011 ROHS Summer Tour. Helen stepped up at our 2010 fall meeting volunteering to organize our summer garden tour in the Marshalltown area. She was so looking forward to the club visiting "Hide-away Gardens".