Myrtle Lee Nixon

Myrtle Lee Nixon, 99, of Cantril, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua. Her Funeral service will be held at Cranston Family Funeral Home also in Keosauqua, on Saturday, August 9 at 10:00AM. Pastor Kevin Mote will officiate. Visitation will be at 2:00PM on Friday, August 8 at the funeral home with Myrtle Lee's family present from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.
Burial will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril, immediately following the service. Memorials can be sent to: The Cantril Grass Roots, Bird Seed Fund at Country Lane or the Cantril Library. These memorials may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family care of Ted Nixon, 26782 Route V 64, Cantril, Iowa, 52542.
Myrtle Lee was born on July 27, 1926, near Browning, Missouri, to Clarence L. and Mary Anne Shanks Robertson. Myrtle Lee was a dedicated, hard working, and community minded woman. Myrtle Lee was married to Eugene C. Nixon, on August 24, 1949, who preceded her in death on September 15, 1993.
After graduating from Brashear Missouri High School and Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois, Myrtle Lee embarked on her professional journey working at a bank and at the County Clerk's Office in Kirksville, before marrying Eugene.
Together, they moved to Cantril, where they established Nixon's Tractor Salvage and farmed. They retired in 1980. Myrtle Lee's commitment to her community was evident in her involvement in updating the Cantril History Book in 1997 for the town's 125th Celebration, co-authoring the Robertson Family History book, the Nixon Family history book and actively participating in the Cantril Grass Roots organization. She was involved with 4-H, the Cantril Methodist Church, Fox Valley Band Boosters, when her children were growing up.
Myrtle Lee was a woman of many talents and interests. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends and belonged to the Red Hat Club for many years. She was an avid reader, birder, quilter, and jigsaw puzzle enthusiast. Myrtle Lee had a deep love for her flowers and gardening.
However, her greatest joy came from being a mom, grandmother, and later a great-grandmother. She loved her family and always told them how proud she was of each of them.
Myrtle Lee is survived by her children, Larry of Beaverton, OR, Linda (Steve) of Lakeway, TX, Neva (Rick) of Stillwater, OK, Ted (Barb) of Cantril, Ruth (Dave) of Prairie City, IA, Sarah (Rick) of Emerson, IA, Paul (Sue) of Mexico, MO and Peggy (Jim) of Westwood, KS. She also leaves behind 22 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and a sister, JenOla (Jody) Watkins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Mary Anne, her husband, Eugene, three brothers, Harry in infancy, Clarence Jr. and Jim, and three sisters, Nellie, Mary Francis, and Anne.
We invite you to share your memories and upload photos of Myrtle Lee onto the memorial page at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Your tributes will serve as a comforting reminder of the beautiful life Myrtle Lee lived.