Ann Kerkove

Margaret “Ann” Kerkove, age 88, died on July 5, 2025, after a life filled with faith, family, kindness, and service to others. Ann was born on December 17, 1936, in Washington, Iowa, the first of seven children born to Walter and Charlotte Fagen. Ann milked cows, collected eggs, and did other farm chores in the Wellman and Keota area until the family moved to Sigourney when she was 16 years old. Moving to Sigourney was “heaven” for Ann because the family had indoor plumbing for the first time and she met the love of her life, John “Richard” Kerkove.

Ann graduated from Sigourney High School in 1954 and continued working at People’s Wholesale Grocery in Sigourney while she waited for Richard to return from Army duty in England. Ann and Richard married on October 15, 1955, and moved into their first home, a 28” foot trailer in Melbourne, Iowa, where Richard worked for the railroad.

Ann and Richard eventually moved to Delta, then Hayesville, to take up farming. Ann worked hard raising their five children, keeping the house, hosting many meals for family and friends, making homemade ice cream and her famous caramels, while also helping on the farm. She eventually convinced Richard that adding a dishwasher to the kitchen would give her more time for farm work. Richard bought the dishwasher and Ann promptly resigned from all farm duties, except milking the cow. In exchange, Ann taught all the children to drive as fast as she did.

After all of her children left the nest, Ann fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated from Indian Hills Community College at age 59 and spent the next 10 years working as a Hospice Nurse. After her retirement, she continued to serve others as a Hospice volunteer, a frequent visitor at Manor House, and an active member of her Church, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the Republican Party.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sister Joan Clement, brother-in-law Mike Clement, sister-in-law Jennie Fagen, infant grandson John Bown, infant great-granddaughter Jillian Rhoderick, and all eleven of Richard’s brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her husband of 69.75 years, Richard Kerkove; Five children Rick (Jodi) Kerkove of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Tricia (Michael) Lawson of Dallas, Texas, Peggy (Rodney) West of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Janice Kerkove (David Richardson) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Joyce Kerkove (Bill Bowermaster) of Kansas City, Missouri, and special family friend Joy Bradley of Marthasville, Missouri; Twelve grandchildren Kris (Alysia) Kerkove, Kari (Matt) Rhoderick, Kyle (Paige) Kerkove, Travis Bohl, Jessica (Mark) Comstock, Emily (Cody) Scholtus, Denita West, Carrie Ann West, Nathaniel Richardson (Trang Tran), Jonathan Richardson, Rachel Bowermaster, and Katelyn Bowermaster; Fifteen great-grandchildren Carter Kerkove, Reid Kerkove, Jakob (Sam) Rhoderick, Jaden (Hannah) Rhoderick, Jameson Rhoderick, Tatum Kerkove, Dejah Bohl, Theo Bohl, Kaden Fisher, Jayden Comstock, Ethan Fisher, Greyson Fisher, Brody Barnhart, Leah Scholtus, AJ Tolliver; and One great-great-grandson Walker Rhoderick.

Ann was also survived by five of her siblings, Connie (Wayne) Eggleston, Ed (Maggie) Fagen, Wini (Mike) Francis, Mary Joyce (Denny) Johnson, Peter (Sarah) Fagen, plus many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She loved her great big family.

Memorials may be made to Keokuk County Hospice Foundation or to the Sigourney Christian Church.

Visitation: Tuesday July 8, 2025 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Holm Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Wednesday July 9, 2025 10:00 a.m. Sigourney Christian Church
Burial: Garrett Cemetery - Delta, Iowa

Funeral Service will be live streamed on the Holm Funeral Home Facebook Page.