Lois Dale Modlin

Lois Dale “L.D” Modlin, 87, of Newton, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Newton Health Care Center. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the funeral home. Memorials to the Mercy Medical Center Foundation — to be used for breast cancer patient care may be left at the funeral home.

L.D., the son of Oliver and Mary (Ramsey) Modlin, was born June 27, 1934, along with his twin sister, Loy in Central Arkansas. He grew up in Arkansas with his eight siblings, before coming to Iowa with his brother, Jr., in early 1955 looking for work, which they found at the Maytag Company in Newton. Shortly after, he was set up on a blind date with Shirley Waits of Pella and they were married later that year June 6, 1955, in Newton. The rest of the Modlin family would later move from Arkansas to Central Iowa as well. L.D. and Shirley made their home in Otley and Kellogg for a short time before moving to Newton. He worked at the Maytag Company for more than 35 years. He also had various side jobs including custom combining and hauling grain. L.D.and Shirley enjoyed square dancing and going to their grandchildren’s activities. He also loved to tinker on projects and feed the birds and squirrels. 

L.D. is survived by his wife, Shirley Modlin of Newton; children, Kevin (Bonnie) Modlin of Columbia, S.C., Galen (Lori) Modlin of Newton and Kristi (Joe) Brock of Monroe; grandchildren, Stephanie (Cody) Olson, Alex (Chelsie) Modlin, Josi Arguello, Jared (Megan) Modlin, Joseph Brock, Ragan (Mallory) Brock and Will Brock; his great-grandchildren, Brayden, Kinsley, Kamden, Rylan, Jagger, Jersey, Ty, Kamryn, Zayvier, Emerysn, Jackson and Ronin; his siblings, Faye Clark, Elmer (Judy) Modlin, Jim (Linda) Modlin and Bob (Marla) Modlin; and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sister, Loy; and three brothers, William Oliver “Jr.”, Hoy and Vernon.