Edith L. Underwood
September 09, 2009
Edith L. (Bowen) Underwood entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, early Wednesday morning, September 9, while hospitalized at St Mary's Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota. She and her husband, Chuck, were celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary, September 5, retracing their September, 1948 honeymoon trip, as well as vacationing in North Central Minnesota. She was enjoying reasonably good health and during the morning hours of Tuesday, September 8, she sustained a massive stroke.
Edith was born to Marion and Floy Bowen, March 2, 1930, in their farm home, Milford Township, Crawford County, Iowa. She passed into His eternal glorious presence at the age of 79 plus years. She spent the early years of her life enjoying the close associations of her dedicated parents, one sister, Irma Jean, and one brother, Robert Bowen. She attended country schools and graduated from Denison High School. Among those in her childhood immediate family, she is survived by one brother, Robert Bowen, Ida Grove, Iowa as well as several nieces and nephews.
As a high school teenager, through the ministry of the Blackwood Brothers quartet, she came to faith in Jesus Christ, receiving Him as her personal Savior and Lord. She became an active 4-H club leader and through these activities met a young man, Chuck Underwood. After dating several months, she became, as Chuck would describe her, "the love of his life". Surrounded and supported by friends and family, Chuck and Edith, were joined together in marriage on September 5, 1948 at the altar of The First Presbyterian Church, Denison, Iowa, committing the rest of the lives and days to one another, "for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
Under the leadership of The Lordship of Jesus Christ, their lives were blessed with two daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy Rae (John) Maehl, Elizabeth (Paul) Womacks, two sons, and two daughters-in-law, Rick (Anne Margaret) Underwood, William G (Sheryl) Underwood, one Vietnamese foster son and daughter-in-law, Tri Minh Dang and MyVan Dang, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Chuck and Edith were recognized by "America’s Family Coaches" for their 50th wedding anniversary with the "Commitment to Marriage Award". One Saturday early August, 2008, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren recognized their 60th marriage anniversary with a surprise party in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Most of her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren were present.
Little did they realize, but their last church service together, was two days before her eternal graduation day into the glorious presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ. On Sunday, September 6, 2009, one day following their 61st wedding anniversary, she and her husband Chuck, attended the morning services at the Deer River Bible Church, Deer River, Minnesota. Most interestingly, Pastor Gaylord Finch's sermon centered on I Corinthians, chapter 7, focusing on God's truth and principles surrounding the Christian marriage.
Edith's family kindly requests no flowers. Memorial gifts can be made to Gideons International for the sole purpose of purchasing and placement/distribution of God's Word around to world. All are reminded every cent of these memorials will be used to the purchase and placement of God's Holy Word.
The Underwood family is grateful for every prayer and well wish extended to the family during Edith's homegoing. The radiance and joy of her life will be sorely missed by her husband, family and many others. Please continue to pray for them.
Jeff and Sandi Sieleman
09/15/2009
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Edith will be greatly missed. She was a great example of Christ and she finished well.
Donna and Bob Rugaard
09/14/2009
To Chuck and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy is sent to you today and in all the coming days ahead.
May God bless and keep your family in his loving hands. I remember coming to
your house and playing with Nancy during your time in Audubon. Mom always enjoyed receiving your Christmas letters! Mom went home to the Lord on July 10th of this year also. May your hearts be renewed with the love from our Lord and enjoy sharing her many achievements with family and friends.
Donna and Bob Rugaard from Audubon, Iowa
SMSD India
09/14/2009
Dear Nate & Family,
We are sorry to hear this sad news, our sincere thoughts and prayers are always with you.
Annette Ruhs Kruse
09/14/2009
My heart is both aching for you yet celebrating for Edith as you gather today to remember her. She lived a full life in the Lord on earth and now lives an even fuller life in the presence of the almighty and more! We celebrated Mom's (Norma Ruhs) life July 14 and found it so comforting to know that she knew the Lord well. Their loss, however, is still life-changing for those left behind and I pray for all of you during this time. We have wonderful memories from your time in Audubon and are grateful that our paths crossed. God's peace be with you...
Annette K. Ruhs Kruse, pastor
Guthrie Center and Bowman Chapel United Methodist Churches
Subhashish Moitra
09/14/2009
I offer my condolence at this time of grief. May her soul rest in peace.
DR. DAN & COLEEN CHAPMAN
09/13/2009
DEAR CHUCK & FAMILY,
WE WERE SO SURPRISED AND SHOCKED TO READ OF EDITH'S DEATH IN THE DES REGISTER YESTERDAY (12TH). WE REJOICE WITH YOU THAT SHE IS HOME WITH JESUS AND ALL WILL SEE HER AGAIN ONE DAY. BUT HOW HARD TO SAY "GOOD-BYE" THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN TO YOUR BELOVED! SHE WENT "HOME" ON OUR 58TH ANNIVERSARY.
WE DIDN'T KNOW EDITH WELL BUT WE KNOW THAT SHE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY AND SERVED HER LORD FAITHFULLY. WE WILL BE THINKING OF YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOU. WE ARE SORRY WE CANNOT ATTEND HER SERVICES. MAY GOD COMFORT YOUR HEARTS AS YOU ADJUST TO YOUR LOSS. WTH MUCH SYMPATHY, DAN AND COLEEN CHAPMAN
Judy Shough
09/13/2009
The love of God, family, and friends will sustain you and be a source of comfort. The thing I remember most vivid about Edith is her wonderful smile and laugh ... it touched your heart and simply made things better!!!
Judy Shough
Mesa Arizona
Pat (Grover) Janes
09/13/2009
My heart goes out to all of you at this time. I loved seeing the smiling face of your mother every week at church. She always had a kind word to say. We will all miss her.
John, Amy (Zehr) and Stephen Albi
09/13/2009
Our sympathy goes out to all of Edith's family. Edith was the sister of our Aunt Irma Jean Albrecht who is greeting her in Heaven with joy and open arms!
It is so hard to loose a loved one so quickly, we know, but take great comfort in the fact that she is with her Lord and her departed family in Heavenly glory.
Love,
Amy, John and Steve
Nancy (Bray) Ericson
09/12/2009
Dear Chuck and Family, I was so saddened to hear of Edith's stroke and death. Shirley Ross noticed the obituary in the Des Moines paper and emailed us with the sad news. I felt very honored by Edith to be a part of your wedding, as well as by being her friend. She has led an exemplary life and was loved by so many, it will be hard for all of you to go on without her. You'll all have sweet memories to share and keep. Love to You All, Nancy
Marilyn Johnson
09/12/2009
I was blessed to have known Edith during the years that we attended First Federated Church. I always found her to be a joyful Christian and appreciated her involvement in the church. I pray God's comfort for Chuck and the family and know that she is enjoying the presence of the Lord.
Shirley Brodersen Ross
09/12/2009
What a surprise to find the large obituary for Edith in the Des Moines paper this morning! Edith and I graduated from High school together in 1948. We were in the Methodist youth group at Denison. I remember going to potluck dinners on hot Sundays on her parents' farm, and riding a horse. I remember her so well. She drove a Model T (I think) to school when she was 14. I went to her wedding, and remember the opaque veil that she wore down the aisle until she & Chuck were pronounced man and wife. She married early (of my friends) and never looked back. My sincere sympathy to all her relatives!
The Sucher Family
09/12/2009
Chuck, and Family,
Learning the news of Edith's passing was such a shock; our family is so very, very saddened by this news. When Edith called our home on August 31, just a few days ago, to wish Richard and I Happy Anniversary, I remember hearing her precious voice, and yours, too, Chuck....and the last thing I heard Edith say is "We love you". And we all so loved you Edith. Many years ago, thanks to our son Trey, Edith via Chuck came into our life, circa 1988. In all of our years since meeting Chuck and Edith, our barometer, our measuring stick has been "What would the Underwoods think?; What would the Underwoods do?"
Edith was truly a role model, someone to emulate. Her calm, her poise, her love of God, Chuck, and her family and treasured friends was immeasurable. For as many Christmases as I can recall since 1988, thereabouts, we have "broken bread" with Chuck and Edith, either at their home, or ours. And more often than not, before dessert was served, we would go around the table, and talk about our goals, dreams, for the New Year. Edith always spoke of continuing her work in service to the Lord, Chuck, her family...And on some of our Christmas gatherings, we each would light a candle as we shared with one another. I recall Edith getting very, very tickled sometimes as we all are "talkers" and would get a little carried away! Edith had the most wonderful smile and positive outlook on life, in all things. We are so truly blessed to have been able to know this remarkable woman named Edith Underwood, and she will always and forever have a very special place in our hearts.
With loving thoughts and our heartfelt sympathy,
Richard, Billie, Sarah, Trey, Tessa Sucher
James Leong
09/11/2009
Nate/Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family during this difficult time. She was blessed and lived a good long life and married for 61 years which is amazing.
Send Your Condolences
Sarah Sucher
09/11/2009
My family has known Chuck and Edith for over 20 years and they have been a special part of our lives. We see them each Christmas and always looked forward to birthday cards with sticks of gum from Edith. She is a very special lady who will be missed year round but certainly, for me, at the holidays when we would sit around the dinner table and listen to she and Chuck share their family stories. Chuck~ we love you and are thinking of you. You are a tremendous influence on each of the Sucher children and our parents. We are blessed to have known Edith and to share in the love she had for you and for our family. God bless~ Sara R. Sucher of Chicago, Illinois, oldest daughter of Richard and Billie Sucher of Des Moines, Iowa.