Alice Mendenhall

Alice Leona Mendenhall, 100, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away August 17, 2014 at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Alice was born January 16, 1914, to Hans and Matilda (Christensen) Rattenborg west of Hamlin, Iowa, in Audubon County. Around the age of nine she moved into Hamlin and her parents farmed an acreage on the south end of town. She enjoyed her childhood and was proud to skip a grade in school. Alice had 7 brothers and sisters. She was also very proud to be the only one to reach one hundred years old. She always regretted not getting to go to high school, but back then it was more like getting out - to work. She always had jobs taking care of new babies and mothers of which, years later we heard many stories.

On March 23, 1935, she married Jimmie Mendenhall in Atlantic Iowa. Following their marriage they started farming and raising a family.

In later years she worked at the Audubon Hospital and Salem Lutheran Home. In 1965, they moved to Atlantic and she was employed at the Atlantic Hospital as an aide, until her retirement.

Alice and her friend Mary, took some bus trips to Branson, MO, and she was always ready to take trips with the kids over to the horse races with her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Connie.

She was only sick a few times, as a young child and in later years had a broken arm which always bothered her. Her mind was sharp up to the end so we all had good conversations with her. She was very proud of her Danish heritage and her family.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Hamlin Lutheran church and did the same for her children.

Every night she said the Lord's Prayer in Danish and loved to talk Danish with her beauty operator Sheiree Planck. She had been a resident since July 1, 2014 at Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn, Iowa.

One of her final comments was, "I really want to thank you kids for everything you did for me . . . We've had a lot of fun!"

Alice is survived by two daughters, Marlene (Otis) Carr of Papillion, NE, and Dorothy (Jim) Kelgor of Atlantic, IA; two sons, Roger Mendenhall of Atlantic, IA and Bob (Carol) Mendenhall of Sigourney, IA; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister-in-law, Mrs. Roy Rattenborg of Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Jack (Connie) Mendenhall; 7 brothers and sisters; sisters- and brothers-in-law, and daughter-in-law, Beverly Mendenhall.

Funeral services will he held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday August 23, 2014, at the Hamlin Lutheran Church with Pastor Steven Frock officiating.

Burial will be in the Hamlin Cemetery. Following services at the cemetery the family invites you to join them for lunch in the church fellowship hall.

Open visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 20th through Friday, August 22nd at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Alice's family and her arrangements. Condolences can be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN REMEMBRANCE OF

Alice L. Mendenhall

BORN
January 16, 1914
West of Hamlin, in Audubon County, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
August 17, 2014
100 years, 7 months, 1 day
Elk Horn, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:00 A.M.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Hamlin Lutheran Church
Hamlin, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Steven Frock

ORGANIST
Sue Hoegh

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Whispering Hope”
“Our Father Has A Light In His Window”

CASKETBEARERS
Steve Carr
Mike Carr
Rod Saylor
Rick Mendenhall
Jim Kernan
Scott Mendenhall

INTERMENT
Hamlin Cemetery
Hamlin, Iowa