Charity Ehmen

Charity Sumner Ehmen, 65, of Jefferson, passed away on Nov. 27 at Pearl Valley Nursing & Rehab in Perry with her children at her side.

According to her wishes, cremation rites have taken place and services have already been held.

Charity Paula Sumner Ehmen was born on Nov. 26, 1954, in Atlanta to Robert and Zaida (Loudon) Sumner.

She grew up near Albany, N.Y., and attended Columbia High School in East Greenbush, N.Y.

She moved to Iowa to study music at Wartburg College in Waverly. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at UNI. 

She was united in marriage to James Ray Ehmen on Aug. 20, 1977. She worked as a teacher at Jefferson-Scranton High School, Early Head Start in Perry, and as a vocational teacher at Genesis Development in Jefferson.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, traveling, reading, cooking and simply living the good life.

In death, she rejoins her husband, James, parents Robert and Zaida, and a sister, Roberta.

Left to cherish Charity’s memory are her children: Jonathan Ehmen, of San Francisco, and Jennifer (Jared Peffer) Ehmen, of New Castle, Colo.; grandchild Juniper Ray Peffer; and siblings Ethel, David, Sarah and Charlotte.