Eva Marie Coon, 96, of Grand Junction, Iowa passed away Oct. 12, 2022, in Jefferson.
A Memorial Service will be held Oct. 19 the chapel of Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home with Pastor Heather Dorr of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson officiating. Inurnment will be at a private family service at the Jefferson Cemetery.
Marie was born on a farm between Rippey and Grand Junction. She attended and graduated from Rippey Consolidated School, where she was a captain on the Rippey Bulldogs basketball team. She was a fierce competitor and even in recent years would proudly share memorable moments of her basketball moves. She was known as “Toughy” as she played forward with a left-handed pivot shot.
In 1948 she married Merle Coon and they raised their family on a farm in Washington Township. Marie was always known as a hard worker. She was widowed at a young age, yet she managed to care for her children and continue farming. She was an excellent seamstress and cook. In later years, she enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Canada.
She was predeceased by her husband, Merle “Zip” Coon; her parents Vernon and Marguerite Neese; brothers Dale and Donald Neese; and grandson Nathan Stewart.
She is survived by her children David Coon of Grand Junction, Donna (Clifford) Smith of Jefferson, Diane (Michael) Stewart of Saddlebrooke, MO, and Duane (Sylvie) Coon of Dubuque; grandchildren Ryan Smith, Jennifer Smith Mark, Eric Smith and Lance Coon; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
