Loie McElwain

Loie Janice Carolyn (Ehlert) McElwain was born May 1, 1925, to Frederic and Jennie (Beebee) Ehlert in Woodbine, Iowa. She was named after her grandmother, Lois Hudson Beebee, who was often called "Loie" by her husband, Frederick Beebee. Loie was raised in Woodbine and graduated from Woodbine High School in 1942. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and received her Bachelor of Music Education degree. While at Drake she played the piano for KOI Radio with world renowned pianist Roger Williams. Her teaching career began in Logan, Iowa, where she taught K-12 band and vocal from 1946-1950. In 1950 she married Merril McElwain at the United Methodist Church in Woodbine. The couple lived in Spokane, Washington while Merril was in the United States Air Force. They then moved to Omaha, Nebraska and in the fall of 1957 they moved to Woodbine. From 1967-1980 Loie taught music at the Woodbine school where, amongst many other accomplishments, all three of her choruses (Girls, Boys and Mixed) received 1 ratings each of the thirteen years she taught there. In 1973, fourteen choir members were selected for the Iowa All State Chorus. In other years, eight, ten and twelve students were chosen for the All State Chorus. From 1981-1986 she taught elementary music in Dunlap, Iowa and she continued to accompany and help with the Woodbine school's music program.

Loie began teaching piano lessons at the age of 15 and over the course of her career numerous students won at the district level of the IMTA Auditions and went on to receive Superior ratings at the state level. Her students also participated in the annual Iowa Federated Music Club Festival, always receiving high ratings. She always maintained a schedule of between 25-50 piano lessons weekly, even until recently.

Loie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Woodbine. She served her church as the choir director for many years as well as being one of the pianists for Sunday services and the accompanist for the church choir. She also served for 25 years as the accompanist for the men's singing group The Noteables, missing very few of their 450+ performances. Loie loved writing notes and sending cards to family and friends, riding her bike, playing the organ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Woodbine ~ which she did for 12 years, enjoying croquet contests with her family, and entering and frequently winning the football contests sponsored by area news-papers. From 1978 to 1979 Loie's family hosted AFS student Augusto Silva from Bucaramanga, Colombia who has remained a close member of the family ever since. In a recent interview Loie stated that her greatest achievement was her family.

Loie died on Sunday, October 7, 2012, at the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, five months, and six days.

Loie was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Frederic, Hudson, Leslie, Fargo and Corrie Ehlert. She is survived by her husband, Merril McElwain of Woodbine, Iowa; children, David (Karen) McElwain of Wayne, Nebraska, Dan (Jan) McElwain of Harlan, Iowa, Barb (Steve) Sturgeon of Overland Park, Kansas, Dennis McElwain of Sioux City, Iowa, Douglas McElwain of Woodbine, Iowa, Dana (Carol) McElwain of Fort Collins, Colorado, Augusto (Zaida) Silva of Decatur, Illinois; 12 grandchildren; 7+ great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Prelude: Blessed Assurance, Great Is Thy Faithfulness,
People Need the Lord Yes, Jesus Loves Me,
What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Wonderful Cross
There Is A Fountain, Edelweiss, Oh How He Loves You and Me
I'm So Glad There's You-Composed by Dana McElwain
On Christmas Morning-Composed by Dana McElwain

Funeral Service
2:00 pm Thursday, October 11, 2012
United Methodist Church ~ Woodbine

Clergy
Rev. Dr. J. Samuel Subramanian

Honorary Pall Bearers
Richard Ehlert ~ Robert Ehlert ~ Roger Ehlert

Pall Bearers
David McElwain ~ Dan McElwain ~ Steve Sturgeon
Dennis McElwain ~ Douglas McElwain ~ Dana McElwain
Augusto Silva

Final Resting Place
Woodbine Cemetery
Woodbine, Iowa

Musical Selections
"Autumn" Composed by Dana McElwain
"September" Written by Gladys McElwain

"I Am Set Free" Words and Music by Dana McElwain
Accompanist: Dana McElwain (Based on Zechariah 9:11)
Soloist: Sue Benedickt

"Family of God" & "Side by Side" The Noteables
Accompanist: Nancy Foutch

"Fly" Soloist: Sue Benedickt
Accompanist: Dana McElwain

Congregational Hymn "Amazing Grace"
Accompanists: Bob Smith & Dana McElwain

"The Lord's Prayer" Soloist: Dennis Alvis
Accompanist: Michael Cotton

"Pié Jesu" Soloists: Hilary Harper Moores & Elyse Harper
Accompanist: Michael Cotton

"A Child of Hope" Soloists: Sue Benedickt, Diane Book, Beth Fouts
Conducted by: Mike Esser Accompanist: Michael Cotton

Postlude Bob Smith