Lora McColley

September 28, 1930 - April 15, 2017

Lora McColley, 86, of Story City, formerly of Gilmore City passed away April 15, 2017 at Bethany Manor in Story City. Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Saturday April 22 at Faith United Methodist Church in Gilmore City with The Reverend Christy Ehrle officiating. A visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family. Lora Mildred (Omeg) McColley, the daughter of Walter and Eunice (Sorenson) Omeg, was born September 28, 1930 at her father’s wheat ranch on High Prairie near Lyle, Washington. She often shared fond memories of spending time with her grandparents and riding her favorite horse, “Blacky” to school. She met and fell in love with her future husband, Roy Edson McColley, while wintering on the Box “T” ranch owned by Roy’s father. Their courtship continued after Lora’s family moved to Yakima, Washington prior to her senior year in high school, and she graduated from Yakima High School in 1949. The couple was united in marriage in Yakima on August 21, 1949. She followed Roy to Iowa State University, living in a quonset hut in Pammel Court. They started their family while at Iowa State and returned to the Lyle ranch after Roy obtained his degree in 1951. In 1953, Lora and Roy purchased farm ground adjacent to his parents’ farm in Humboldt County and made their home on the century farm where they raised their six children. They farmed together until retiring in 1988. They remained on the farm until 2011 when they moved to Bickford Cottage in Ames, Iowa. Lora was a long-time member of Faith United Methodist Church in Gilmore City where she was active in United Methodist Women. She was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. Lora was an avid storyteller and had an affinity for ice cream and chocolate. She enjoyed playing the organ, quilting, painting, and playing 500 as a member of the neighborhood card club. She and Roy also enjoyed golfing and were longtime members of the Rolfe Golf Course. The couple delighted in their travels to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, England, and Hawaii with family and friends. In later years Lora and Roy enjoyed wintering at their home in Coolidge, Arizona at the Ho Ho Kam Park where they made many friendships and led an active life style. Lora has resided in Bethany Manor in Story City, Iowa since 2012. Lora is survived by her children, H. Wayne (Daisy)McColley of Bozrah, CT, Mark McColley of Des Moines, Marla (John) Norman of Rutland, Robert (Lee) McColley of Kansas City, KS, Richard (Cami) McColley of Ames, and James (Tammy) McColley of Jacksonville, FL; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Donna and Edith.