Mollie Ferrell

"Because He Lives" was one of Mollie Jeanne Ferrell’s favorite songs. She enjoyed the Bill Gaither tune; not only for the music, but also for the belief she held in its message.

Mollie was born in Springfield, Mo., January 22, 1927 and died March 28, 2015 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa. She was the daughter of Edward and Glenna Stone and lived in Missouri until September of 1946 when she married Sergeant Ralph Ferrell, Jr. of the 435th US Army Bombardment Squadron. They made their home in Atlantic, Iowa a few short years later and felt Atlantic was a perfect place to raise their four children.

Mollie enjoyed being involved and helping wherever she was needed. Whether sewing costumes for dance recitals, helping with the Atlantic Centennial celebration, sharing her artistic talents for various programs and events, helping hundreds of folks create home interiors through her work at Minor’s Furniture and later at Heithoff Furniture, or serving 6,270 hours as a Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary member. Mollie was one of the auxiliary legends that began her tenure as a “red coat” when the hospital was located originally on Fifth street.

Mollie enjoyed people and this was never more apparent than with her involvement and leadership roles in the B.P.O. Does, the Order of the Eastern Star, the American Cancer Society, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Women and a variety of other civic and community organizations. Easter of 1993, Mollie joined Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic and would later become godmother to her twin grandsons born in May of that same year.

She loved to dance, read, sew and was happiest when cooking for a houseful of people. She enjoyed a round of golf, bowled on a league team, loved crafts and spending time with family and friends. Her greatest joy was attending her grandchildren’s activities; participating in their lives, and seeing them grow to kind, accomplished adults.

Mollie has been reunited with those who preceded her in death, including, her husband, Ralph Ferrell, Jr., a brother, James Stone, mother Glenna Stone and father, Edward Stone. She leaves four children; Ron Ferrell and his wife Martha, in Ocean View, Hawaii, grandson, Chris and granddaughter, Elizabeth and two great-grandchildren, Mike Ferrell of Atlantic, Chuck Ferrell of Los Angeles, Pam Ferrell Johnson and her husband, Dr. Mark Johnson of Atlantic, granddaughter, Katie Johnson, of West Des Moines, grandson, Ben Johnson and his wife, Andrea of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and grandsons, Aaron Johnson and Samuel Johnson, both of Ames, Iowa. A sister, Barbara Herndon of Springfield, Missouri, niece, Chris Bade of Rolla, Missouri, niece, Lori Cheek, of Springfield, a great-niece, Sheree Loveland and husband, Mark and a great-great niece, Brooklynn. A sister, Sharon Stone of New York, NY, niece, Carrie Steinmetz and husband, Arthur, and two great-nephews, Maxfield and Nathaniel of New York, nephew, Elliott Guerrero of Brooklyn, NY, a niece Heather Guerrero and great-niece, Sophie also of New York, a sister-in-law, Doreen Stone of Topeka, KS.

A visitation is planned for Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Roland’s Funeral Home from 10-12, with a prayer service following from noon to 12:30. A private interment is planned at the Atlantic Cemetery. A Memorial Mass for Mollie will be announced by Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church at a later date. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Mollies beloved “red coat ladies” of the Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
(Bill Gaither, Gospel Series, 1998)

IN REMEMBRANCE
Mollie J. Ferrell
Born on January 22, 1927
Springfield, Missouri

DIED
March 28, 2015
Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
88 years, 2 months and 6 days

PRAYER SERVICE
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Twelve o’clock p.m.
Roland Funeral Home
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Father Chori Seraiah
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church
Atlantic, Iowa

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“How Great Thou Art”
“He Raised Me Up”
“Because He Lives” by the Gaithers

CASKET BEARERS
Mark Johnson
Benjamin Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Aaron Johnson
Chuck Ferrell
Ken Francis

HONORARY BEARER
Michael Ferrell