Mona Whitver

Alice Mona Whitver, 83, of West Union passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 15, at West Union United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chris Ebbers officiating.

Mona was born to Jens Christian and Alice Mona (Cottier) Jensen on April 8, 1932, in West Union.

She grew up on a farm and attended Windsor No. 1 country school through eighth grade. She later graduated from West Union High School with the class of 1950.

Following high school, Mona attended Upper Iowa University, where she met and married Loren “Buck” Whitver. To this union were born three children, Marcia, Mark and Chris.

During their 63-year marriage, Buck and Mona lived in several towns throughout Iowa, including Jefferson, Postville, Colfax, and Bloomfield, before moving to Mona’s hometown of West Union.

While living in Colfax, Mona taught elementary school before choosing to stay at home and become a “full-time mom.”

Mona demonstrated to her children and grandchildren the importance of volunteerism and civic duty. She shared her time and talents in many organizations, which included leadership roles in the Palmer Hospital Auxiliary, Eastern Star, United Methodist Church, and on the Fayette County Election Board. 

She was a very active, longtime member of her church, where Mona was baptized as a child. In addition to serving on numerous church committees, she was one of the organists for many years.

Other interests and hobbies were reflected by Mona’s membership in various clubs and groups over the years, including the West Union Golf and Country Club, Wednesday Art Club, Gourmet Club, and several bridge groups.

For 20 years Mona and Buck spent part of their winters in Orange Beach, Ala. There, they enjoyed the ocean, the golf courses, and the time spent with old and new friends.

Mona is survived by her husband, Loren “Buck” of West Union; her three children, Marcia (John) Savage of North Oaks, Minn., Mark Whitver of Las Vegas, Nev., and Chris (Jeannine) Whitver of Jackson, Miss.; four granddaughters, Johanna, Erica, Lauren and Anna Grace; two sisters-in-law, Hazel Jensen of West Union and Iola Whitver of Boone; a brother-in-law, James Rasmussen of Jefferson; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Mona in death were her parents and brothers George Donald Jensen, Richard Kenneth Jensen, and Jens Christian Jensen Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the West Union Recreation Foundation, P.O. Box 233, West Union, IA 52175.

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