Josephine Fletcher

Josephine Emilie Fletcher, the only child of Emil and Anna (Menschel) Pontow, was born April 10, 1918 on the family farm northeast of Malvern, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, Iowa. Josephine attended country school at Golden Hill. In 1936, Josephine's mother died of a long illness and left her to care for the home. Josephine and Leonard Amos Fletcher were married in the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran Church on July 12, 1939. The parsonage had special meaning to Josephine as her parents had donated the land on which the parsonage was built.
Josephine and Jack made their home on the Pontow family farm and their marriage was blessed with three children, Mervin Robert, Marlene Ann, and Linda Elaine. Emil continued to make his home with his daughter and her family for ten years. Josephine enjoyed being a farm wife and mother. One of Jack and Josephine's highlights were receiving the Century Farm Award in 1976. Jack was an active member of the Dutch Gun Club and the family enjoyed the 4th of July celebrations and other activities. Josephine was a charter member of St. John's Ladies Aid and a member of the Malvern Band Mothers.
She enjoyed baking for her family and friends (it was rare to sit and have coffee without being offered a cookie), a game of cards of Skipbo, cribbage or pitch, visiting with friends and neighbors were all special times. Josephine enjoyed and was very proud of her family, she was always ready to participate in the grandchildren's lives and her seven great grandchildren could always bring a smile to her face even when her health was failing.
Josephine and Jack had been married 43 years when Jack died on January 17, 1983. Josephine continued to live in her home and remain active. She was staying with her daughter Marlene when the Lord called her home on April 10, 2008, her 90th birthday.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leonard Fletcher; and son Mervin in 1993. Josephine's faith in the Lord kept her strong and helped her bear the loss of her husband Jack to cancer and the untimely death of her son Mervin. She showed others her courage by going forward and enjoying her life to the fullest.
Josephine is survived by her daughters, Marlene Gittins and husband Bob of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Linda Greaves and husband Russ of Helena, Montana; daughter-in-law Linda Martens and husband Al of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Jason Gittins and wife Cheryl of Council Bluffs, Julie Menke and husband Derek of Omaha, Diane Howard and husband Tim of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Jeff Fletcher and wife Stephanie of Omaha; great grandchildren, Michael, Megan, Peytan, Callie, Ryan, Adam, and Elizabeth: nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Fund Has Been Established.