Gwen Amonson

Gwendolyn Jane Yarger Amonson, age 93, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2022, at Rotary Senior Living Center in Eagle Grove, Iowa. She was born September 5, 1928, in Storden, Minn., to Luther and Marie (Thomas) Yarger. Her family moved to Clarion in 1937.

Gwen was a member, baptized and confirmed, of the Clarion United Methodist Church. She attended Clarion schools and graduated from Clarion High School in 1946. While in high school, she participated in cheerleading, played the French horn in band, and was involved in choir and speech. After high school Gwen worked at the telephone office in Clarion as an operator. Lyle’s sister, Bernadine, worked with Gwen at the telephone office. She introduced Gwen to Lyle at a dance at the Surf Ballroom; Gwen remembers Lyle looking very handsome in his Army uniform. They were married on July 9, 1950, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Gwen later worked for the United States Postal Service where she developed the habit of referring to everyone on her mail route by their address!

Gwen spent many years directing the choir at the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church and participating in Paddlewheel Players, A-Sharp Music Club and the Eagle Grove Chorale. She volunteered many hours to promote community activities: the Festival of Trees, live Christmas window displays in downtown businesses, an adult literacy program, the Veterans’ Tower Project, Foundation for the Future, Rotary Auxiliary and the Chamber of Commerce. She dedicated many hours to the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church helping with the Youth programs and Wednesday After-School Club, teaching Sunday School, organizing live nativities, Dial-A-Devotion, and United Methodist Women. Two memorable productions directed by Gwen were “Tell It Like It Is” and the “Journey Through Bethlehem.” Gwen received the Outstanding Working Woman, Outstanding Citizens and Allbaugh Awards and the United Methodist Women’s service pin.

Gwen is survived by her daughter, Athlyn (Jeff) Black, sons, Kyle (Diane), Kelly (Melody) and Kirby, 14 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, brother Larry Yarger, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lyle, son Kerry, daughter-in-law Maria, siblings Eunice, Ron, Dean, Bruce, Noreen, Donna Rae and Dennis.

A Celebration of Life Service for Gwen will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17th, 10:30 a.m., at the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 16, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church, and Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room before the service.