Libbie Wilkinson

Libbie Wilkinson, 70, of Corning, Iowa, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at her home in Corning. Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 701 7th Street, Corning, Iowa, with Mr. Larry Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Corning, Iowa. Open Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., with family receiving friends 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to The American Cancer Society and/or EveryStep Hospice of Mount Ayr. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Lizbeth “Libbie” Wilkinson was born August 21, 1950, to L.L. and Ruth (Barnes) Henderson at the Creston, Iowa Hospital. She grew-up in Corning. While in high school she was a Candy Striper. She sang in the choir and was in the play, “My Fair Lady”. Libbie graduated from Corning High School with the Class of 1968.

In 1965 Libbie met Gaylord and they dated through high school. They were united in marriage on October 15, 1967, at the Strand Lutheran Church. To this union four children were born: Conrad Eric, Cheryl Lynn, Cedric Dale, and Corey James, otherwise known as the 4 – C’s. Libbie was very proud of her family. She loved going on vacations with them, going to Dirt Car Races (just to spend time with family), and camping, which began as tent camping. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and going to their events.

Libbie made a career in the Health Care field since 14. She worked at the nursing home. In 1975 Libbie and Gaylord moved to Bedford, Iowa, where they managed the Taylor County Care Facility. Libbie received her Healthcare Administrator’s Certificate from Marshalltown Community College in 1978. Gaylord and Libbie moved back to Corning in 1978 and she worked at the Adams County Care Facility. In 1997, Libbie became the co-owner and administrator of Country Haven. In 2005 Country Haven started having homes in the community under Choice, Inc. Through all of this work she touched many lives.

Libbie was very active in the Corning Community. She was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Brownie leader having two boys and a grandson who became Eagle Scouts. She was the treasurer of the Music Boosters. Libbie organized the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Country Haven which is now held annually in Central Park.

Left to cherish Libbie’s memory are her husband, Gaylord Wilkinson, of Corning, Iowa; children: Conrad (Tara Benge) Wilkinson, Corning, Iowa; Cheryl (Kelly) Walton, Corning, Iowa; Cedric (Kim) Wilkinson, Eldridge, Iowa; Corey Wilkinson, Corning, Iowa; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, William “Bill” (Jayna) Henderson, Pikeville, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Linda Szabo, Des Moines, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Libbie in death were her parents: L.L. and Ruth Henderson; sister, Ruthellyn Hinton; half-brothers: Craig Henderson and Landor Henderson; half-sister, Esther Kline; brothers-in-law, Virgil Wilkinson, Hubert Kline and Barney Szabo; sisters-in-law: RuthAnn Henderson and Lovena Henderson; father and mother-in-law, Junior and Lois Wilkinson.