LaRue Atchison

TAMA-LaRue Elsie “Girly” Atchison, 97, of Tama, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Tama under the care of her family and Iowa River Hospice. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Warren Riley officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home.

LaRue was born on May 23, 1927, in Garwin, Iowa, the daughter of Emil and Lillie (Ballhorn) Bartling.

On August 2, 1945, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Atchison at the Presbyterian parsonage in Toledo. LaRue was a cook at South Tama Schools, retiring in 1989. She was a wonderful mother, homemaker, and also babysat her grandchildren. LaRue enjoyed sewing Barbie doll clothes, bowling, and baking.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie Blocker of Tama; three grandchildren, Stacie (Eric) Hauser of Tama, Tricia Blocker Smith of Norwalk, and Ryan (Charlotte) Blocker of Toledo; step-granddaughter, Wendy Hintermeister of Toledo; great-grandchildren, Tim Hauser, Jeff Hauser, Kourtne (Keaton) Klocko, Clay (Megan) Blocker, Kolton (Nicole) Smith, and Conner Blocker; great step-grandchildren, Vincent (Destiny) Hintermeister and Wyatt Hintermeister; great-great grandchildren, Loren and Elizabeth Blocker, Krew and Kenna Klocko; two sisters, Arlene Starits of Toledo, and Darlene Ervin of Tama; one brother, Larry (Shirley) Bartling of Tama; sister-in-law, Mary Chyma of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Emil and Lillie Bartling; husband, Robert Atchison; son, Tim Atchison; daughter, Paulette at birth; son-in-law, Mel Blocker; step-grandson-in-law, Kevin Hintermeister; siblings, Lorene (Bill) Yonda, Richard (Alice) Bartling, LaDean Wauters, Roger (Mary) Bartling, Lavern (Shirley) Bartling, Merle Bartling, Shirley (David) Schultz and Ronald (Marilyn) Bartling, Richard Ervin, Henry Anderson, and Leonard Starits; father-in-law and mother in-law, Arthur and Eva Atchison; in-laws, Arnold (Blanche) Atchison, Vivian (Clarence) Brecht, Lorraine (Virgil) Vore, Rachel (Kenneth) Coye, John (Elaine) Atchison, Donna (Cliff) Brower, Norman (Mary) Atchison, Patty Schultz, Bonnie (Charles) Skarda, and Paul Chyma Sr.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund will be established.