Obituary of Ethel Mae Cunningham

Ethel Mae Cunningham, age 88 of Iowa City died Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Friday, September 20, 2024, at the Good News Bible Church in Iowa City with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.  There will be a time of visitation one hour prior to the services at the church. 

Ethel Mae Cole was born January 19, 1936, in Humboldt, TN, the daughter of Kermit and Mammie Cole.  As an adult she has spent most of her working career in the health field as a nurse, working in hospitals and in private care.  One of her private care families, Steve and Marsha Harrington’s family was one of Ethel’s favorite as she cared for their mother and was treated as one of the family.  After retiring she moved to Iowa City in 2010 to be near her son, Bobby.

Ethel enjoyed life, nothing complicated but simple and never bothered a soul.  She was an excellent cook, like doing scratch off’s watching Gunsmoke, drinking her beer and have a cigarette.  One very independent dear soul she was!

She is survived by her loving son, Bobby; granddaughter, Jannie Menzel; great-grandchildren, Quetin and Leann Menzel; great-great grandchildren, Mileyn – Rachel Menzel and Ryan – Conna Menzel; Ethel’s brother, Thomas (Carol) Cole, and by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, Pete, Mack and Booker Cole.