11/06/2013
Margaret Louise (Smith) Askren, 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at the Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center.
Margaret was born on May 7, 1921, near Columbia, Iowa to Ray and Gladys Reineke Smith.
She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1939.
On March 10, 1941, she was united in marriage to Jesse P. Askren at the Methodist Church in Columbia, Iowa.
To this union were born two daughters, Holly A. (Bill) Kenyon of Coralville, Iowa, and Mary R. (Mark) Littleton of Essex, Iowa.
Margaret and Jesse lived on a farm near Russell until 1960 when they moved to Chariton.
She worked at the P.M. Place Store from 1960 to 1989.
She accepted Christ as a young lady and felt it was most important to be faithful to the Lord.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church for 62 years, where she was a deaconess and Sunday School teacher.
She felt that it was very important that all her family accept Christ.
She was also a member of the LaGrange Club and the Chariton Garden Club.
Among her hobbies were her love of flowers, gardening, crocheting, and reading.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert Smith; and her great-grandson, William Albert Kenyon.
She is survived by her husband, Jesse; her daughters, Holly and Mary; three grandchildren, John (Mary) Kenyon; Beth (Nick) Shepherd; and Luke (Sara) Littleton; and seven great-grandchildren; Chloe, Ethan, and Bailey Shepherd; Edward and Daniel Kenyon; Harper and Sadie Littleton.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2013, at the Fielding Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Olson officiating.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2013, at the funeral home.
Interment was held in the Olive Chapel Cemetery following services.
Pallbearers were Bill Kenyon, John Kenyon, Mark Littleton, Nick Shepherd, Ethan Shepherd, and Luke Littleton.
Honorary Pallbearers were Edward Kenyon, Daniel Kenyon, Bailey Shepherd, Chloe Shepherd, Harper Littleton, and Sadie Littleton.
Memorials may be given to the American Bible Society.
Online condolences may be made at www.FieldingFuneralHomes.com.