Mary Lois (Harmon) Radford, 91 of Dunnellon, FL formerly of Glenwood, IA passed away peacefully on July 27, 2016 at Diamond Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Lecanto, FL following a brief illness. She was born on Jan. 11, 1925 in Council Bluffs, IA to Roy and Ela Harmon. She was raised on a farm south of Pacific Junction, IA. She had an older sister, Marjorie (Harmon) Stone and younger brother, Duane Harmon. Mary graduated from Pacific Junction High School in 1943. She took nursing classes in Council Bluffs before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on April 2, 1945. Mary was a Navy nurse at the U.S. Naval Hospitals in Corvallis, OR and Astoria OR where she tended to wounded sailors and Marines from the Navy Pacific Campaign after World War II. On July 9, 1946, she was honorably discharged from the Navy at the rank of Hospital Apprentice 1st Class. Mary had sung in the U.S. Naval Hospital Choir in Astoria, OR and once sang for President Harry Truman. She was a member of the American Legion Post 141 in Glenwood for 67 years.
Mary returned home and worked at the Glenwood State Hospital School as a nurse. She met Harold Radford and they were married on June 30, 1948. To this union four sons were born, Bruce, Bennett, Bradley and Bryon. They became her full time job as Harold worked as a railroad engineer on the CB & Q Railroad as well as the Company Commander for the Iowa National Guard in Glenwood and Council Bluffs.
Harold passed away in April of 2004 and Mary lived alone for several years. Her son Bradley moved in with her in 2009 as her caregiver. In 2010, Mary and Bradley moved to Dunnellon, FL to enjoy the warm winters and beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico and came back to Glenwood each year in the summer months.
Preceding Mary in passing were her parents, husband, sister and brother. Survivors include her children, Bruce & Susan Radford; Dr. Bennett & Lorna Radford; Bradley Radford; Bryon & Lynda Radford; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; extended relatives and many friends.
Military Rites by Glenwood American Legion Post 141 and Tabor VFW Post 7064.
Visitation:Wednesday, July 29, 2015
5:30 PM
,
Service:Friday, September 2, 2016
2:00 PM
1105 N. Locust St.
Glenwood, IA51534
7 Condolences
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Mary Lois was a very special lady and will be missed by many! Take Care
So sorry to hear about Mary Lois. Mom really liked to spend time on the phone with her & loved running into her from time to time. Your mom ALWAYS had such a big smile for everyone she met.
Pam
Mary will be missed. Always enjoyed seeing you in Glenwood and when you would come along with Brad on Wednesday nights. Always had a beautiful smile to share. Prayers for you & family
I will always remember one thing specifically about Ms. Mary, and that was the fact that she was always smiling. I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Mary. May she rest peacefully.
So sorry prayers and thoughts from mom and myself
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mary was a beautiful lady not to mention mom,sister,friend and wife, she will be missed.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She and your dad raised awesome kids!
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