Elizabeth "Libby" Loney

We celebrate the life and passing of Bertha Elizabeth Loney known by many as Libby or Libe. She passed from this life on June 26, 2023. Her 93 years were lived as an active fun spirited soul who only slowed down since her cancer diagnosis last year. Since then, she was cared for and lived with her daughter Deanna Carson and husband Mike. Libby was grateful and courteous until the very end. Her witty comments kept the family in stitches! The visitation is at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton Saturday July 1^st at 10:00 a.m. with Funeral at 11:00 a.m., interment at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Lacona and lunch to follow.

Libby was born to Ross Welch and Mildred (Shelton) Welch of Lucas County on September 14, 1929, and lived on the family farm near Oakley along with 6 siblings. My how the world has changed during Libby’s life! She walked four miles (uphill both ways) to Oakley, then took the train ten miles to Chariton to attend high school during the week and back on the train Friday to walk home for the weekend. During the week, she lived in a room in Chariton.

After she graduated from Chariton High School, Dewey Loney, Jr. swept Libby off her feet, and they were married October 18, 1947. To this union four children were born, and they were married till his death in 2000. They enjoyed farming near Hartford and Osceola and raising cattle near Williamson. Bottle calves were her specialty, and Libby always had a dog that she loved.

Libby was a hard-working woman who farrowed hundreds of piglets, helped with calving and milking and fence building and she always had a nice garden. She was not a farmer’s wife, she was a farmer! For a period of about 15 years, she was a city gal and enjoyed working at Dahl’s grocery where she made lifelong friends. She looked forward to her friend Helen Rule’s 100^th birthday party, but she will now be celebrating her friend from Heaven.

She always loved farm and estate auctions, but living in West Des Moines started her interest in garage sales and collecting. She scouted out the sales and was off in her red Cadillac! She collected many things from vintage kitchen ware to coins, jewelry and clothes. Her record collection was vast with a lot of Elvis, Floyd Cramer and Conway Twitty, but also anything with an old-fashioned country twang! Current TV shows didn’t interest her much, but she enjoyed hours of Hallmark Movies, Golden Girls and All in the Family. One of her favorite shows was Antique Roadshow and in the late 90’s, one of her dreams came true. Libe and Dewey took a bronze statue he purchased at a garage sale for $25 to the Antique Roadshow where they valued it at $10,000 to $15,000! They sold it at auction for $12,000. That will keep a gal treasure hunting at auctions and garage sales!

Retirement years were spent back on a small farm near Williamson where she enjoyed raising cattle, berry picking, mushroom hunting and pie making. Grandkids always enjoyed fishing there and bottle feeding the calves. She truly enjoyed nature and being outdoors. Her kids, however, discouraged her from berry picking alone after she was stalked by a mountain lion! She lived on the acreage (still mowing her own yard) till she was 86. Did I mention she was active? Until Covid hit, she frequented Lakeside Casino for socializing and the “free” buffet.

Her greatest accomplishment was her children, and she always enjoyed time with her grandchildren, helping to care of them often. She was an excellent cook and has been dubbed “The best pie maker in Lucas County” by more than a few. She enjoyed making homemade bread and frequently gave a loaf (or a fresh baked pie) to a neighbor or friend in return for a favor. She also made the best chicken and noodles, jams and jellies, and any sweet or savory treat that could add pleasure to her loved one’s lives. And she had many loved ones. Libby spent her life prioritizing her family and friend’s needs above her own. She taught humor, love and compassion to her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She will live on forever because of this great capacity for love.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, Thomas Loney of Osceola; siblings: Margaret (Perry) Orseth, William Welch, Donna (Tom) Sellers, and Jack Welch. Left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Ross “Bud” (Sharon) Welch of Chariton and Mike Welch of Williamson; her nephew Fred (Sharon) Loney of Chariton; her sisters-in-law, Janice Welch and Marie Welch; and many other nieces and nephews.

Her children left to mourn her death, celebrate her life and treasure her memory are Catherine Canova of Osceola, Deanna (Mike) Carson of Osceola, and Sherry (Dave) Reynolds of Ellston. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren who will miss Grandma Loney very much.

If you choose to make a contribution, you may do so via the funeral home to Mt. Zion Cemetery.