Iona Hemm

Iona M. Hemm, age 82, of Mexico, MO, formerly of Kahoka, MO, died Tuesday, May 4, 2004 in Pin Oaks Nursing Center in Mexico, MO.

She was born May 29, 1921 in Scotland Co., MO, a daughter of Albert N. and Etta Dean Reynolds.

She was married to George Raymond Breidenstein on September 27, 1938 in St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death on January 30, 1961. On April 22, 1962, she was married to William D. Orcutt in Kahoka, MO, who preceded her in death on October 1, 1973. She later married Robert Hemm on November 16, 1975. He preceded her in death on August 2, 1991.

Survivors include a daughter, Helen Fenlon and her husband, Robert, of Mexico, MO; a step-son, Randy Hemm and his wife, Linda, of Topeka, KS;grandchildren: Ray Breidenstein of San Diego, CA, Amy Peer and her husband, Patrick, of Keokuk, IA, Alison Breidenstein and her husband, Gustavo Hueramo, of San Diego, CA, Laura Manion and her husband, Kevin, of Maryland Heights, MO, and, Bill Fenlon of St. Louis, MO; great-grandchildren: Lindsay and Jacob LeMatty of Keokuk, IA, Mateo Hueramo-Breidenstein of San Diego, CA, and, Kathryn, Connor, and Ryan Manion, all of Maryland Heights, MO; as well as several nieces, nephews, and other realtives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a son, Ralph L. Breidenstein on July 1, 1994; two brothers, Robert and Wendell Reynolds; and, two sisters, Doris Short and Marjorie Darlene Hansen.

Iona was a graduate of Kahoka High School and later continued her education at Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville.

Iona was a well-known accountant in Kahoka for many years. She began her career as a legal assistant for G. R. Breidenstein and (later) for William D. Orcutt. She and June Hardy had formed the Clark County Abstract Co. and she conducted an accounting practice until her retirement in 1982.

Iona was a member of the Kahoka Christian Church and of the Mo. Independent Accountant's Association. After her health started failing, she moved to Mexico, MO in 1997 to be closer to her daughter. She had been active in the Kahoka Chapter # 40, O.E.S. and for many years served as Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls. She was also a member of the Senior Tuesday Club. Iona was an expert seamstress and enjoyed dancing. She was an avid golfer and former member of the Keokuk Country Club.

Funeral services are Thursday, May 6, 2004 at 1:30 p.m.at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka. Burial will be in Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends can register after 9 a.m. on Thursday with family receiving friends from noon until time of services.

Memorials are suggested to the Parkinson's Foundation.