Iowa’s Romanzo A. Coates #960
Members of the Romanzo A. Coates #960, along with Bob Rose, recently donated money to purchase four new metal benches for use in the Riverside Cemetery Mausoleum. Pictured here with one of the benches are Quester Marilyn Ladwig, Spencer Cemetery Superintendent Ed Lawver, and Quester Karen Cretsinger.
Spencer Cemetery Upgrades
Spencer’s cemeteries were included in several historic restoration and preservation projects by the Romanzo A. Coates #960 and Bob Rose (also known as Mr. Spencer). These projecrs enhanced Riverside Cemetery on West Fourth Street and Northlawn Memorial Park Cemetery on North Grand Avenue.
One project involved the purchase of metal benches for the Riverside Cemetery Mausoleum, which is currently in application process of being named to the National Historic Registry. The Riverside Cemetery Mausoleum, built in 1918, also underwent extensive cleaning of the stone floors this past summer.
Romanzo A. Coates #960 received a grant from the Iowa Questers to fund the cleaning of two cemetery marble statues, including the Civil War soldier statue in Riverside Cemetery and the marble statue depiction of the crucifixion at Northlawn Cemetery, which was established privately in 1938 and given to the city in 1995.
According to Spencer’s Cemetery Superintendent Ed Lawver, the Quester donation allowed the city to rent equipment and purchase chemicals necessary for the much-needed statue cleaning.
“Both statues have been exposed to years of weathering and were in need or refurbishment,” Lawver explained. “We appreciate the support of the local Questers Club for contributing toward this important community project.”
The Questers also funneled their grant funds toward the purchase of a fire-proof safe to house the historic cemetery plat books that have been used since the inception of Riverside Cemetery in 1878.
Romanzo A. Coates #960 includes: Cheri Banks, Joy Bradenburg, Susan Christensen, Karen Cretsinger, Marilyn Ladwig, Becky Smoot, Sandy Thiesen and Ann Vandehaar.
The Romanzo A. Coates #960 also paid for refurbishment to two stones statues, including this Civil War soldier from Riverside Cemetery, which needed to be power washed with special chemicals to remove stains and lichen growth accumulated over many years.