Obituary for Elizabeth Mary Messier

Elizabeth M. (Betty) Messier, 80, of Rockford, Iowa, died Sunday, April 20, 2003 at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 21 3rd Street NW, Rockford, Iowa. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. She was born 11/26/22 in Waterloo, Iowa. Her parents, Mary Ann Mcllvennie and Samuel Nimick, were born in Ireland and came to this country when they were very young. Her father died when she was only 7 months old. She lived in Rockford all her life, graduating from Rockford High School in 1940. She was baptized and confirmed in the First United Methodist Church, Rockford, Iowa, of which she was a member for 66 years. Elizabeth wed Richard F. Messier on December 31, 1940, and to this union three sons were born; Dennis, Kirk and Bryce. During World War II she followed her husband around the country working at various jobs. While he was in Boot Camp in San Diego, she was a Riveter on the big B-52 bombers. After the war they returned to Rockford to live. She worked as secretary for the Rockford Cemetery Association for 5 years. She was nominated to serve on the committee to try and procure a doctor for the town. Dr. Russell Barrett came to Rockford and in 1967-68 the medical clinic was built. She was asked by the doctor to help prepare the building and staff it for opening in July 1968. She worked as the Office Manager for 17 years, having to discontinue after an accident to her legs. She was active in her church, circle, UM Women, Royal Neighbors, Women’s Club and American Legion Auxiliary. She held various offices in all of the above over the years and was a 50-year member of Royal Neighbors of America. She arranged flowers in church for many years, which was a job she loved, and sang in church choir for over twenty-five years. She loved to bake (cookies were her specialty), send greeting cards, and go dancing. She was always willing to and wanting to help anyone she could. Survivors include her husband Richard; two sons, Kirk of Iowa City, Iowa, and Bryce of Phoenix, Arizona; and three wonderful daughters-in-law, Joy of Tucson, Arizona, Karen of Iowa City, and Sharon of Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren, Justin (Pete) Preston, Christian (Tammy), Deanna, Alecia and Jason; two great grandchildren Erica and Samuel Preston and a special niece, Carol Alexandres, Mason City, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Dennis; stepfather, John Rath; and three half brothers. The family requests that memorials be sent to 15 4th Street NW, Rockford, Iowa 50468. Please leave a message, memory or tribute to the Messier family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.