Ilo Luse

Ilo Luse, 88 of Eldora, IA, passed away at Eldora Specialty Care into the arms of Jesus on July 9, 2019. Visitation will be at Abels Funeral And Cremation Service, Creps-Chapel in Eldora on Thursday, July 11, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church, where she was a long-time member. Burial will follow in the Steamboat Rock Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church or Dorothy’s Senior Center, Eldora. Abels Funeral And Cremation Service, Creps-Chapel is caring for Ilo and her family.

Ilo Luse was born on September 21, 1930 in Garden City, IA to Gifford and Helen (Kearney) Larson. She was one of seven children, six girls and one boy. One of Ilo’s great pleasures in life was the time she spent with her sisters. The “Larson sisters” enjoyed each other’s company immensely and shared a unique and special bond. Several of them could be seen on a regular basis in the front row of local auctions or at Genny’s kitchen table drinking coffee, laughing and recounting stories of their childhood.

Her other great love was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was exceedingly proud of each one; Kevin Luse of Cedar Rapids, Heather (Russ) Rowley of Urbandale, Sean (Kathy) Luse of Waynesville, MO; Carey (Lorie) Luse of Siera Vista, AZ; Jay (Chandra) Luse of Eldora; and Clark Luse of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

True to her caring nature, Ilo spent her career as a registered nurse, 17 of those years at the Eldora Manor. She completed her nurses training at Mercy School of Nursing in Iowa City.

Ilo married Warren Luse on February 4, 1956. Although the marriage ended after nearly 20 years, she and Warren remained close and shared most holidays with the kids. Neither she nor Warren remarried. During the years following the divorce, many people called Ilo a strong woman for raising six children on her own. But the truth is she was a tender, precious woman who was strong only because she had to be. Because she had no choice. Because she loved her kids.

Ilo’s faith was pure and uncomplicated. She loved Jesus. She knew He loved her. She trusted Him and He never let her down. She embodied what the Bible calls, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”

She also loved her community at the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church.

Those who knew Ilo well, were aware that beneath that tender, gentle exterior, was a spunky gal who loved adventure and lived life to the fullest. She liked being the passenger in sports cars and on fast motorcycles. She was also known to go hot air ballooning, to brave extreme “rolley” coasters and to travel to exotic destinations.

Ilo was involved for many years with the Progress Club in Steamboat Rock and the Dorcas Group at First Baptist. She also loved to play Bingo at Dorothy’s Senior Center. And she played a mean game of Skip-Bo with her kids. She adored her little cat, Peekaboo.

Ilo is survived by her six children and her sister Bonnie.