Lahoma N. Counts

Lahoma N. Counts, 86, of Mason City, IA, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the First Baptist Church, 125 East State Street, Mason City, with Rev. Ron Stein officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lahoma Counts Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Lahoma was born April 29, 1930, in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of John Cecil and Jewell (Olive) Risinger. She graduated from Austin High School in El Paso in 1947. She continued her education at the University of Texas in El Paso, graduating in 1950. In 1952, she earned her Master’s Degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1953, Lahoma married Thomas Counts, and to this union four children were born: Rachel, Timothy, Jurdan and Dorcas. The couple later divorced. Over the years, Lahoma was a true and tireless advocate for aging Americans on both a state and national level. In 1973, she helped form one of the first AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) in Kansas and later served as director of a AAA in Oklahoma. During her career, she embraced technology and became personally involved with computer upgrades for the organizations. In 1991, she became the director of the Elderbridge Agency on Aging in Mason City, until her retirement at the age of 81. Helping senior citizens was a passion and a way of life for Lahoma.

Lahoma was devoted to her family. She adored her children and grandchildren. Lahoma enjoyed photography, flower gardening (she had an amazing green thumb), pets and backyard wildlife, and traveling each year to visit her family during the holidays. She loved Mason City. She was proud of the historic architecture, art, and general cosmopolitan spirit of this community.

Lahoma was a member of First Baptist Church where she served in many capacities, including deacon. She was also a member of the Rotary Club, Diversity Council, Photo Club, Civic Pride in Mason City, Salvation Army (bell ringer), Older Iowans Legislature, and the local Democratic Party, where she participated in the caucus process.

Lahoma is survived by her children: Rachel Waddell (David) of Kansas City, Tim Counts of Minneapolis, Jurdan Counts (Cathy) of Broken Bow, Neb., and Dorcas Schirer (Michael) of Farmington, N.M.; and four grandchildren: Sarah Troester (Will), Jacob Schirer, Nate Schirer and Faith Schirer.

Her parents and her sister Joann Risinger preceded her in death.