Audra Oliver Gibbs
Audra Oliver Gibbs
Audra Oliver Gibbs, age 79, died May 19, 1994, of a massive aneurysm shortly after being hospitalized at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
A memorial service was held at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield, with private interment.
He was born March 25, 1915, in Lee Township, Greenfield, Iowa, to George V. Gibbs and Maggie Kenworthy Gibbs.
Audra graduated from Greenfield Community High School and prepared himself for his chosen career of farming and cattle production by attending Business College.
Audra was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite. He was a lifelong member of the Adair County Cattle Producers, a former 4-H leader, and served as president of the Adair County Fair Board.
He married Marcella Gutz June 15, 1938, in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Iowa.
Audra especially enjoyed hunting and fishing in Canada, usually accompanied by his family and friends.
He chose to put down his roots in the rich soil of Adair County and to raise his family there. Next to his family, he enjoyed the cattle business. He appreciated the value of the native hard grass of the West and raised cattle on his ranch near Harrison, Nebraska. Even more than cold-blooded economics, important as they are, he studied and cared for, and loved his cattle.
He was known far and wide as a cattle man whose keen eye and quick glance could spot excellence or mediocrity in a critter from his horse or pickup. This unique talent baffled his adversaries and garnered admiration from his peers. He passed this gift to his son, Lans, his daughter, Phyllis, and shared it with his grandchildren and other 4-H youth.
Audra believed that "quitters quit and winners can't be beat". Audra never quit; a few days before his death he worked cow-calf pairs in a distant pasture. Just hours before his death, he shared with his son-in-law that "there wasn't anything wrong with him that a few bucks on the cattle market and a good inch of rain wouldn't cure."
Audra was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Marcella (Sally) of Greenfield, Iowa; his son and partner, Lans Gibbs and wife Evelyn of Greenfield; his daughter Phyllis Nichols and husband J. David of Anita; grandchildren; Ann Gibbs, Jill Gibbs, Jennifer Nichols and Fletcher Nichols and wife Benita; one great granddaughter, Rachel Nichols.
The Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.