Ione Rema January 30, 1931-May 30, 2021
Ione Lenora Rema was born in Albert Lea, MN, the daughter of Andrew Cornelius and Hilma Cornelia (Larson) Christianson. She grew up in Allamakee County, attended rural Fan School, and was confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, Waterville.
December 3, 1949, she married Norman Rema at Little Brown Church in Nashua. After living six years at Elon, Norman and Ione moved to Center Township where they operated a dairy farm, and raised crops, hogs and chickens. After retiring from farming, Ione worked part-time at Homestead, The Uptown Motel and Waukon Living Center.
Ione was creative with her sewing, and helped several brides design their special gown. She was also an avid quilter, and during the holiday season, one could find her tending a booth at area craft shows. She was skilled with lefse making, and later on, shared her “secret” with many! She enjoyed fishing with the family, Sunday afternoon drives, snowmobiling, pancake suppers with neighbors, Monday afternoon coffee at Hardee’s, doing word-search and playing solitaire.
Ione was an ardent member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, served Ladies Aid, and helped with Old Fashioned Sundays and annual meatball suppers. Monthly circle get-togethers were important as well.
Survivors include her children, Linda (Ray) Svendson of Pleasant Hill, James of Harpers Ferry and Cathy of Waukon; two grandchildren, Chad (Candace) Svendson of Waukee and Kara (Brandon) Lindsey of Pleasant Hill; four great-grandchildren, Jace, Bain and Mali Svendson and Sven Lindsey; two sisters, Margaret Herman of Waukon and Vivian (David) Benjegerdes of Postville; two brothers, Carmen (Marge) Christianson of Preston, MN and Norman (Gayle) Christianson of Vallejo, CA; a sister-in-law, Charlotte Christianson of Waukon; an aunt, Lillian Larson of Waukon; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman, in 2010; her brothers, Hilmen, Clifton and Virgil Christianson; her sister, Anaruth Bechtel; two brothers-in-law, Karl Bechtel and Alton Herman; and a sister-in-law, Lillian Christianson.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Old East Paint Lutheran Creek Church in rural Waterville, or your favorite charity. Condolences may also be sent to 402 Fifth Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172.
