09/10/2025
Ella LaVonne (Ream) McDermott, 95, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, Iowa. Services for Ella will be held on Monday, September 15, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chariton Christian Church Disciples of Christ. A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 14 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the church. A burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sioux City Community Theatre, 1401 Riverside Blvd., Sioux City, IA, 51109 or Connect Media Ministries, P.O. Box 800, Camdenton, MO, 65020.
Ella was born in Knoxville, Iowa, on September 22, 1929, the youngest of four children born to Norman and Leah Ream. She was raised on a dairy farm which served the U.S. Veteran’s Hospital in Knoxville. She had a very happy childhood, and in her words, “while there was never a great amount of money, there was a lot of love in our home.” Ella attended Knoxville High School and graduated in 1947. She stayed in touch with many of her classmates for years, regularly attending reunions.
In the fall of 1948, Ella met Bob McDermott at a Rural Youth Party in Knoxville. She didn’t like him at first, thinking he was a “smart alec,” but he must have been persistent, because their courtship continued, and on October 1, 1949, they were married at the First Christian Church in Knoxville. In 1950, their first child, Pamela Sue McDermott was born, and their second child, James Jay McDermott was born in 1953.
Throughout their marriage, both Bob & Ella worked a variety of jobs and lived in several towns in Iowa, including Knoxville, Des Moines, Carroll, Jefferson, Winterset, and finally Chariton. They made Chariton their home and lived there together until Bob’s death in 1993. Ella remained in Chariton in their house on North 5th street until she moved to Sioux City, Iowa in 2012 to be with her family there.
Ella was employed in a variety of secretarial and bookkeeping positions for her entire adult life. She worked most notably at Johnson Machine works starting in 1968 until her retirement in the 1990s. After retirement, she worked for another 15 years as the church secretary for the Disciples of Christ Christian Church.
Ella was a creative soul. She was always learning some new way to create, whether it be yarning work, painting, writing, or crafting. She loved music, especially singing. She participated in church choirs her whole life, both as a singer and as a director. She also sang solos for church services. This love of music has been passed down to her children and grandchildren, all of whom are musicians. Ella and Bob were also square dancers for many years. She also enjoyed participating in local theatre productions with the Chariton Valley Players, and she was a supporter of her children and grandchildren’s artistic efforts at every opportunity.
In addition, Ella participated in many other hobbies and clubs. She and Bob were active members of the Red Haw Campers, camping all around Iowa. Ella loved girls basketball and was a scorekeeper for the high school girls basketball team for many years. She volunteered with the Lucas County Fair each year as well and often had entries in a variety of categories. She started League bowling in her 60s and bowled competitively for several years, even winning several medals at the state level. Ella loved playing cards with friends, reading mystery books, and traveling with family whenever she could. She always appreciated good conversation and a nice meal with friends and family.
Ella was a true follower of Christ. She was a lifetime member of the Disciples of Christ Christian Church and was always very active at whichever congregation she was attending. She and Bob went to Sunday School and church every Sunday, and she attended and led many bible studies, youth events, and retreats, including regularly attending the Metanoia Women’s retreat faithfully for many years.
Ella will be remembered for her kind spirit and for her humor. She loved telling little jokes, and she was always able to get the last laugh. She could be feisty, but always with a wink that told you she was just teasing. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and “GG,” who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Norman & Leah Ream, her sisters, Marie Johnson and Ruth Rodgers, her brother Jay Ream and her husband, Bob McDermott.
She is survived by her children, Jim McDermott (wife Alice) and Pam McDermott, her grandchildren, Christy McDermott Pond (husband Jim), Angela McDermott Iversen (husband Pete) and Darin McDermott, as well as her great-grandchildren, Madeline & David Pond and Eliana & Evan Iversen.