Iva L. Ewalt, 103, of Waterloo, died at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center on Friday, November 16, 2007, of natural causes.

Iva Leone was born August 25, 1904 in rural Linn County, Iowa, daughter of Mack and Arvilla Hepker Newman.

She married Wilbur Ewalt on June 17, 1924, in rural Toddville, Linn County. After a short period of time in the Ferguson area, they lived most of their life in the Waterloo and Jesup area. Wilbur died on April 22, 1972.

Iva worked in a bank during her younger years in Cedar Rapids and then several years at Rath Packing Co.

She was a lifelong member of the Free Methodist Church. One of her greatest loves was teaching children the love of Jesus which she did as a Sunday school teacher in the primary department for 73 years, retiring at the age of 86. In Iva’s honor the church named their Sunday school wing after her to show their appreciation for her years of service. Iva was an accomplished seamstress. She spent many years sewing for others, everything from sewing a seam to making wedding dresses.

Iva is survived by son Marlin and his wife Joanie of Jesup, daughter Vetra Brown and her husband Don of Cedar Falls, 23 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, daughter Vivian Smith; three sons: Mack, Mervin and Melvin; two granddaughters: Sheri (Ewalt) Cooper and Bonnie Jo (Smith) Wyles; two grandsons: James Smith and John “Jack” Smith; one great-great-great granddaughter Lilith Mae Meyer; and two sisters: Eunice Stamp and Letha Drake.

Iva will always be remembered for her strong, visible faith, her caring attitude and her willingness to help others. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.