Elizabeth Davis

Funeral services for Elizabeth Davis, 94, of Clarinda, Iowa, who entered into peace Saturday, May 15, 2010 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa were held Friday, May 22, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Don Fischer officiating.  Visitation with the family was held 5-7 Thursday, May 21 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa.  Burial was in the Clarinda Cemetery, Clarinda, Iowa.  Memorials may be given in her name.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, http://www.ritchiefuneralhome.com">www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries.  Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.

Elizabeth Regina Davis, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 15, 2010.  Elizabeth was born in Omaha, Neb., on October 2, 1915 to Andrew Ivan and Edith Elizabeth Thompsen.  Elizabeth graduated from Tech High School in Omaha and then received training in preparation for her work as a secretary at Standard Blueprint Company.

Throughout her childhood and youth, Elizabeth was active in her Christian Faith and a member of the Third Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb.  While worshipping there, she met a Seminary Student from the Presbyterian Seminary in Omaha named David Clarence Davis.  Elizabeth and D. C. Davis fell in love and were married in 1941.  They were blessed with two children, Paul and Ron.

From early in her life, Elizabeth had sensed that it might be God's will for her to marry a pastor and throughout her life, she enjoyed quietly serving alongside her husband in the ministry.

For ten years, D.C. and Elizabeth lived in the Vail/Westside area of Iowa where D.C. served as pastor of the Presbyterian churches in these two towns.  Both of their sons were born at the hospital in nearby Carroll, Iowa.

On October 1, 1948, D. C. Davis began his ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Clarinda and served faithfully and lovingly for twenty-five years until his death at the age of sixty-four.  Elizabeth served alongside her husband in many areas of ministry during those years.  A special love for Elizabeth was teaching Sunday School and she led many children and young people to Christ during her years of ministry at Westminster.  Elizabeth was active in Westminster Women's Association, the Mariners family ministry, Presbytery, Synod and the overall ministry of the church.  She was also a member of PEO.

Elizabeth was a wonderful, nurturing mother and found great joy in investing her life into her two sons.  She was also very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and left her imprint on their lives.

Elizabeth will always be fondly remembered as a loving, compassionate, gracious Christian woman.  Her favorite verse was Proverbs 15:1: "A soft answer turns away wrath" and she lived her life reflecting the gentle spirit of this verse.  She was always a devout woman of prayer, and her prayer ministry expanded when she was no longer able to be out of her home and during the final two years of her life when she lived at Goldenrod Manor. She touched many lives at Goldenrod with her positive attitude and caring ways.

Preceding Elizabeth in death were her parents; her husband, David Clarence; her son, Paul Davis; her brothers, Paul Thompsen and Richard Thompsen and her step- mother, Fae.

Those remaining to cherish Elizabeth's memories are her son, Ron Davis of Santa Barbara, Calif.; sister, Margaret Graves of Omaha, Neb.; brother, Bruce Thompsen and wife Sharon of Omaha, Neb.; daughter-in-law, Jan Davis of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Rachael Sparks of Santa Barbara, Calif., Nathan Davis of San Francisco, Calif., Shay Davis of San Diego, Calif., Van Davis and wife Amy of Denver, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Caitlin Elizabeth, Gavin and Cameron Sparks, Crew and Palmer Davis; niece, Pam Maassen and husband Frank of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nephew  Bill Graves and wife Connie of Omaha, Neb.; many other relatives and beloved friends.

Elizabeth Davis