Avis Marie McDevitt was born Aug. 26, 1931, to Cecil and Yetive (Louis) Cline in Pilot Mound, Iowa. She died Nov. 19, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She was 84 years old.
A Rosary was prayed Nov. 23 at 70 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry, led by Myrna Smith. Mass of Christian burial was Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry. Celebrant was Father Paul Nguyen. Lector was Carole O’Hare. Eucharistic ministers were Carole O’ Hare, Katie Schott and Mary Lou Stromquist.
Honorary bearers were Sara Schuhardt, Brittany Cousins, Stefanie Reynolds, Melissa Chestnut and Jennifer Nikos. Casket bearers were Matthew Beers, Jeremy Ryberg, Kyle Cousins, Mark Muhs, Michael Kuchera and Rick Pentico. Gift bearers were Avis’s grandchildren.
Musician was Jan Pattee. The hymns, “On Eagles Wings” and “Here I am, Lord,” were selected by the family. Flute solo on “Amazing Grace” was played by granddaughter Sara Schuhardt. Ushers were Chuck Schott and Bill O’Hare. Interment was at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry.
Avis grew up in the Pilot Mound area and graduated from Boone High School.
Avis married Harold William McDevitt June 25, 1951, at Sacred Heart Church in Boone.
Avis and Harold lived in Atlanta, Ga., until Harold was out of the service. They then moved to Perry.
Avis worked for Montgomery Wards and later for the Perry Chief as a bookkeeper until retirement in 1992.
Avis is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; and her sisters, Elise Orr, Norma Jean Sheldahl and Marilyn Yeaman.
Avis is survived by her sister, Zelda Alderson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; children, Therese Wilkinson of Manitou Springs, Colo., Suzan (Randy) Ryberg of Vista, Calif., Patrick (Maria) McDevitt of Las Vegas, Nev., Shannon (Randy) Schuhardt of Perry, Timothy (Sheri) McDevitt of Las Vegas, Nev., and Michael (Dana) McDevitt of Las Vegas, Nev.; 22 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
