Ida Mehlmann (Spieker)

Ida Mehlmann, 104, of Atlantic, and formerly of Massena, Iowa, died Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Allen Place in Atlantic.

Ida Eleanor was born on September 4, 1916, in Massena, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer P. and Sadie Ann (Wilson) Spieker. Ida was a twin to her brother, Ira, both weighing 10 pounds when they were born! She loved sharing memories of her childhood including helping her dad on the farm, harrowing with a team of horses, tea parties with siblings, and giving the horses a little push when they weren’t pulling the cart up the hill.

On March 18, 1939, she was united in marriage to LeRoy Mehlmann at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Atlantic. The couple made the Mehlmann Family farmhouse their home; getting electricity in 1941 and living there for the next 70 years. Ida was a homemaker; raising the children and tending to needs around the home. In later years, the couple enjoyed traveling with family and going on bus tours all across the United States, meeting friends they kept in contact with along the way.

Ida was an avid quilter, quilting over 200 quilts by hand, including ones for every member of her family and many members of the Massena community. Ida also embroidered and made various crafts. Her family recalls her being able to just sit down at the piano and play by ear. Ida maintained a fruit grove and ½ acre garden; canning and freezing her abundant crop. Ida was always the one to have holiday meals; doing so well into her 90’s. At Christmas time she usually had a hand made gift for everyone, her teddy bears being a favorite. You never doubted when you visited that you would find a fresh cookie on the table or snack ready when you came in from chores. Her pies were delicious (the lady fingers too) and the grandkids also would have voted her macaroni and cheese and chocolate sauce #1!

Ida was an active member of the Pine Grove Methodist Church, volunteering on Ladies Aide and as the church treasurer. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, the T.T.T. Society, and the G & G Neighborhood Club.

Ida is survived by her children, Corinne (Jim) Beals of Ely, MN, Lavonne Krauth of Gainesville, FL, Keith (Phyllis) Mehlmann of Massena, IA, Phyllis (Kent) Berry of Atlantic, IA, Sharlotte (Steve) Michel of Henderson, NE, and Shirley (Larry) Good of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Debra (Steve) Layher, Daniel (Linda) Beals, Patricia (Paul) Ewert, Bernie (Debbie) Krauth, Andrea Walsh, Denise Mehlmann, Steve (Melissa) Mehlmann, Cindy (Dave) Copeland, Dana (Jeremy) Freeman, Darcie Berry (Jill Fox), Doug (Marcy) Michel, Kevin (Angie) Michel, Jeff (Jaclyn) Michel and Brandon Good; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Sadie Spieker; husband, LeRoy Mehlmann; grandson, T.J. Good; son-in-law, John Krauth; and siblings, Wilma Spieker, Ira (Wanda) Spieker, Glen (Pearl) Spieker, and Glee (Bill) Helvie.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 30th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Open visitation will begin at noon on Friday at the funeral home.

A private family funeral service will be held with burial at the Massena Center Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ida’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.