Ina Scarff

Ina Marie Scarff, one of three children of Otis Leroy and Ethel Alena (Johnson) Allensworth, was born on her parents' farm in the Wesley Chapel neighborhood near Hastings, Iowa on May 29, 1913. She graduated from high school in Henderson, Iowa in 1932. Ina helped her parents operate their farm and care for 700 chickens. Later in 1937, she graduated from Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During World War II, Ina enlisted in the US Army and became a First Lieutenant nurse. She cared for tuberculosis inflicted German P.O.W.s at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri before contracting TB herself.
Ina and LaVerne Melvin Scarff of Marquette, Iowa were married in Lompoc, California in 1952. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Janet Lynne, who was born at Misawa, Japan where the couple was stationed. The family lived in Council Bluffs and Atchison, Kansas, then moved to Malvern, Iowa in 1962. In 1963, Ina and LaVerne were divorced. Ina became an office nurse for Dr. Scheffel and later Dr. Roure. In the early 1970's, Ina retired to care for her mother.
As a young girl, Ina accepted the Lord and followed the teachings of Jesus Christ throughout her life. Not only did she have an extensive library of Christian literature, but she lived her faith and was a powerful role model to her family and friends. As a member of the Malvern Baptist Church, she taught junior high Sunday school and was Sunday school superintendent. Later, she transferred to the Silver City Fellowship Church and held various church offices. Ina enjoyed being with family, gardening of all types, needle craftwork, reading, cooking, and all animals. She had been a volunteer for the American Red Cross.
After her hospitalization due to a stroke, Ina moved to the Indian Hills Nursing Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa on November 2, 2002. Ina died at the Center on February 14, 2003, at the age of 89 years, 8 months, and 15 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, and brother, Dale Allensworth. She is survived by her daughter Janet Zanders and her husband Larry Zanders of Malvern; grandchildren Jody Zanders of Lincoln, Nebraska and Lisa Williams and her husband Michael of Malvern and great granddaughter Madison Williams; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.