Obituaries : Ima Jean Smalley

Ima Jean Smalley, nee Franklin, was born on November 10, 1924 in Traer, Iowa, to Glen and Leola (Finch) Franklin. She passed away on February 15th, 2015, at the age of 90.

Visitation will take place at the Ray House on Saturday , February 21, 2015, from 9 to 11 am, Followed by a private family service.

Ima Jean’s grandfather was an orchestra conductor in Traer, Iowa and instilled in her a strong love of music. Ima Jean played violin and sang in operettas as a child. She was an accomplished swimmer and diver, and taught all of her children to swim at a very early age. She loved the classics, and read her favorite poems to her children throughout the years.

Ima Jean’s happiest times were those spent having all of her family together on holidays and family reunions. She raised 10 children, while maintaining a close relationship with her brothers and sisters and all of their children. Her home was rarely quiet, and she would not have had it any other way.

Ima Jean loved gardening. She often shared her bounty of vegetables and beautiful bouquets of flowers with friends and family. She enjoyed fishing, traveling, music, dancing and bird watching.

Ima Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Powers, her parents and 5 siblings; Merton Franklin, Thelma Cabalka, Melvin Franklin, Dorothy Schoonover, and Ruth Lattimer. Also preceding her were two children, Vicky Turner and Roger Powers, and grandsons, Clayton Cox and Jacob Knaack.

Grateful for having shared her life are Roy Johnson and her children: Gary Turner (Marlene) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Robin Powers from Seaside Oregon, Sandra Cox (Michael) from Vinton, Iowa, Cheryl Knaack (Harold) from rural Garrison, Iowa, Betty Shea (Mark) from Iowa City, Iowa, Patty Powers (Jay Krabbenhoft) from Iowa City, Iowa, Robert Smalley from Seaside Oregon, and Marc Smalley from Los Angeles, California. She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Ima Jean is also survived by one brother, Dale Franklin, from Naples, Florida.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Katie Cavanaugh, ARNP, who provided care during Ima Jean’s illness. Her compassion and sincerity was a blessing and a comfort to our family during this time. They would also like to extend sincere thanks to all of the nurses at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the tender care that they showed our mother. Finally, thank you to the amazing hospice care providers through Mercy Medical Center. Memorials may be forwarded to Mercy Hospice Care in memory of Ima Jean Smalley.