Gertrude Mae Jones

Gertrude Mae Coglon Jones was born in her parents' farm home north of Exira, in Greeley Township, Audubon County on January 24, 1927. She was the second born to Ray and Lena Rabe Coglon. She died April 12, 2026 at Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan Iowa at the age of 99 years, 2 months and 16 days.

She was baptized in the Christian faith and later joined the Methodist Church. She graduated from Exira High School in 1944. In the fall she began country school teaching on an emergency war certificate at age 17. She taught for 4 terms in Sharon and Greeley township's schools. In later years she declared the country school experiences, both as a pupil and teacher, as being some of her life's most rewarding.

On June 28, 1949 she married Guy Stanley Jones of Audubon, Iowa in Exira Christian Church. They lived in rural Exira for a time before moving to Anita in 1950 and in 1961 to Harlan. She resided at Elm Crest Retirement Community from December 2019 until her death. To this union, three children were born: Donita Rae Jones Miller, Brian Ray Jones, a Marine Captain who lost his life in a helicopter accident at Camp Lejeune N.C. in 1984 at age 32, and Bruce Arthur Jones who lived and died at home at age 42 from Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.

Gertrude was active in church and in earlier years, taught Sunday School, Bible school and sang in the choir. She is a member of the First United Methodist Women's organization. For several years she took care of the paraments and weekly altar decorations and arrangements. She enjoyed taking care of the sanctuary flowers, Christmas decorations and serving as liturgist. She was a member of the sanctuary renovations committee 1996-1999.

In May 1981, she was selected by the church women as Harlan and Shelby County's Mother of the Year and became one of Iowa's Merit Mothers. After being the primary care giver for her son Bruce, seeing that he got to his elementary and Jr. High classes in his wheelchair. After 9th grade she helped him with home correspondence from American Schools for his H.S. diploma. She has helped Bruce write his book titled, "Horizon of a Boundless Mind" by taking his dictation. For years she organized Harlan's Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon's pledge center.

Gertrude enjoyed journaling, collecting quotes and kept a daily diary which offered glimpses of her life and thoughts. She wrote many notes and many letters to friends, relatives and her 1944 classmates. She sent over 200 Christmas cards with an annual message.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sons, Brian and Bruce, son-in-law David Miller, brothers, James, Raymond and Timothy Coglon, daughter-in-law Karen Jones Harris, brother and sister-in-law Don and Jean Jones of Mason City Iowa. She is survived by her daughter, Donita Miller of Harlan, IA; granddaughter, Dr. Cresta Jones of Richmond, VA; grandson, Nathaniel Guy (Janet) Jones of Virginia Beach, VA; great-grandchildren, Stella, Josephina, Bridget and Audrey Crump of Richmond, VA; Sydney, Kira and Brian Jones of Virginia Beach, VA; nephew, Tom (Sharon) Jones of LaQuinta, CA; other family members and special friends.

 Memorial gifts will be given to Muscular Dystrophy and First Methodist Church under direction of family or personal choice.