Iva Ardell Jurgens

November 24, 1936 — August 07, 2024

Iva Jurgens

Service Details

Iva Ardell (Cody/Berkland) Jurgens passed away on August 7, 2024, at Independence Village in Waukee, Iowa with her family by her side. Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church, 5665 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131. There will be an interment service on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at South Saint John’s Cemetery, 5502 360th Street, Cylinder, IA. For those unable to attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed through St. James Lutheran Church's website: click here.

Iva was born on November 24, 1936, to Arthur and Ida Cody in Cylinder, Iowa where she attended a country school and later graduated from Cylinder High School. She was a cheerleader, active in band, and chosen to be the North Iowa Band Queen at the North Iowa Band Festival in Mason City, Iowa. She graduated in 1955, then went on to marry the love of her life, Ronald Jurgens. They have five children: Allan, Brenda, Roger, Monica, and Michael.

Together Ron and Iva lived in several communities in Iowa including Cylinder, Eagle Grove, Burt, Britt, then Plymouth, Nebraska, Clarion, Iowa, followed by Holdrege, Nebraska, and Johnston, Panora, and finally Waukee, Iowa. Iva was active in each of these communities through many volunteer services, their local churches, faith-based organizations, and school activities while raising their family. After their children graduated from high school, Iva went to work at a local retail store in Holdrege, Nebraska where she was in sales and eventually the Store Manager. She and Ron retired in January 2004 before moving to Johnston to be closer to family.

Iva brought joy to everyone she met with her smile that would light up a room and her boisterous laugh that warms the hearts of others. She was a role model to her children and grandchildren on how to treat others with kindness, a beloved partner to her husband of 68 years, and a loyal friend to many who knew and loved her. Iva’s faith in God was the cornerstone and a guiding light in all that she did.

She is survived by her Husband: Ronald Jurgens; Four Children: Allan (Nancy) Jurgens, Brenda Jurgens, Monica (Lyle) Stutzman, Michael (Cindy) Jurgens; Five Grandchildren: Alyssa (Mike) Mattson, Mikhala (Bryan) Stutzman Febel, Morgan Stutzman, Marin Jurgens, Bennett Jurgens; Two Great Grandchildren: Anna Mattson, Ryan Mattson; Siblings: Cora Lufkin, Arnold (Margie) Cody; In-Laws: Denny Jurgens and Mike (Carole) Winterbank.

Iva is preceded in death by her Parents: Arthur and Ida Cody; Son: Roger; Siblings: Kenny (Lois) Cody, Eleanor (James) Christianson, In-Laws: Dean Lufkin, Marlene (Bill) McCarthy, Myrna (Jim) Linnan, Marilyn Sanders and Gary Jurgens. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Iva’s memory be made to Saint James Lutheran Church. Condolences of sympathy may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Iva truly loved Life, loved to Love and loved to Laugh!

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