Merna Alice Guessford

Merna Alice Guessford, the daughter of Merlyn George and Alice Louise (Parks) Guessford, was born September 20, 1944, in Kellogg, Iowa. She attended elementary and Jr. High school in Kellogg. She graduated from the Newton Sr. High school with the class of 1962.

After graduation, Merna worked for the Vernon Company until 1987, when she moved to Florida and began working for MacPapers, Inc. Merna’s faith was paramount in her life. She was a founding member of the Kellogg Christian Church where she served in many areas including Sunday school and choir. She was an avid reader, enjoying many mystery romance novels. She enjoyed knitting, puzzles, listening to music, making Christmas ornaments, playing the autoharp, and collecting cookbooks.

Merna died on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Valley Vista Nursing Home in Newton, Iowa. She was 80 years old. Merna was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Earlene in infancy; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Goldia (Ed) Neveln, Florence (Wilbur) McNichols, Hester (Gerald) Wyatt, and Pearl Guessford and several nieces and nephews.

Those left to honor Merna’s memory include her sister Ida Eivins of Lorimor, IA; her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and great-great nieces and great-great nephews and her cat, Alley.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Kellogg Christian Church in Kellogg, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time, at the church. Memorials may be designated in Merna’s name. Please make a check payable to Garnet Johnson. Memorials may be left at the church or at Pence Reese Funeral Home.