Services
Obituary
Eileen M. (LaRue) Pals, 75, of Belmond, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024 in Belmond.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday October 19, 2024, with visitation from 3-5 p.m. at the Ewing Funeral Home 111 Luick’s Lane South, Belmond, IA.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations will be applied towards Camp Hantesa camperships.
Eileen May LaRue was born on August 29, 1949, in Clarion, Iowa to Glenn and Ruth LaRue. She grew up with her 5 other siblings and attended school in Clarion. She worked as a seamstress for Rainbow Cleaners both during her school years and after graduation.
On November 11, 1967, she married Jerry Pals and they made their permanent home on an acreage outside of Belmond. There they would raise their three daughters Kimberly, Sarah, and Nikki. During this time, she would spend her time growing gardens and loved her flower beds.
Living so close to the river, the National Weather Service organization reached out to her and asked if she would be willing to read the river. She was recognized for her 20 years of service.
Eileen's passion for the outdoors would lead her into 32 years of leadership in the Camp Fire organization. In her local community, she mentored many youth over the years. Through her love of the outdoors, Eileen attended Camp Hantesa as an adult camper where she made lifelong friends. She loved feeding the birds and squirrels outside and sitting on her bench reading books.
After years of living on the farm, Eileen moved to Clarion. She continued her work at EDS making several new friends until its closing. She later spent some time working for LifeTouch Photography taking pictures at schools. She would later work for Kids Korner Daycare. Eileen loved being active. She enjoyed traveling to see family. She attended all the grandchildren's graduations, 2 weddings, birthdays for the great-grandchildren, and her latest adventure was watching her granddaughter receive her doctorate in veterinary medicine.
Eileen's infectious smile, laugh, and spirit was loved by all who met her. She was known to be a big reader, enjoyed gardening, and loved to collect snowmen. She was a seamstress to anyone that would come a calling, and usually always had a quilt in the works. If she wasn’t challenging you in a game of some sort, she loved catching a movie and eating pizza with her family and friends.
At the end of the day, Eileen's greatest passion was her family. Left to cherish her memory are daughters Kimberly Feller (Stan Hansen), Sarah (Troy) Wessels, and Nikki Pals. She had 6 grandchildren Samantha (Joe) Peters, BreAnna Foreman, Vanessa (Derek) Thoms, Allison, Alex, and Ethan Wessels and 2 great grandchildren Kinsley Peters & Arlo Foreman. In addition, she is survived by her sister Brenda (Dennis) Grummitt, brothers Charles (Sheri) LaRue, Howard (Butch) LaRue along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Glenn & Ruth LaRue and brothers LeRoy and Gary LaRue.
We appreciate all of your kindness, sympathy, thoughts and prayers during this time.