Edna Christene Bell

June 20, 1933 - April 29, 2017

Edna Christene Bell, 83, of Ottumwa, Iowa and former resident of rural Bloomfield, Iowa passed away April 29, 2017 at the Hospice House in Ottumwa. She was born June 20, 1933 in Union Township in Davis County, Iowa to Ira Ellison and Grace Ellen Thomas Reisch. She married Robert Bell on June 10, 1951 in Davis County, Iowa. He passed away on May 24, 2013. Christene worked as secretary of plant operations at the Ottumwa Hospital for 32 years. She was a member of Christ’s Church in Ottumwa. Christene loved all kinds of music, especially Blue Grass. She could play the piano, guitar, and banjo and would often do so for her family. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, growing flowers, and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed helping older folks in the community, often times at her own expense. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by a son, Donald (Joy) Bell of Bloomfield; three daughters, Linda Hawkins of Fort Madison, Iowa, Shari (Dave) Rupe, Rose (Charles) Bean both of Ottumwa; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Hewitt, Alta (Larry) Swindler both of Bloomfield; and several nieces and nephews, six of whom she considered her honorary children, Kathy, Kenny, Roy Gene, Richard, Jim, and John. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Robert Lee Bell; and a sister, Beulah Marie Reisch. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Dan Smith officiating. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to Christ’s Church in Ottumwa.