Obituary

Elaine Fair Noe, 92, of Grinnell, Iowa died peacefully on September 11, 2025, at the Mayflower Health Center, Grinnell.

Elaine was born February 16, 1933 in Chillicothe, Missouri to Alonzo W. and Lois E Nothnagel Fair. She was raised and received her early education in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

She was married to William John Noe on April 26, 1952. The couple resided in Amana, Iowa. Two children were born to this union, William John Noe, Jr. and Barbara Elaine Noe. The family moved to Grinnell in 1967. Elaine and Bill were divorced in 1973.

Through the years Elaine was involved in many church, school and community programs including Camp Fire Girls, Red Cross Special Education Swimming Program, Grinnell Band Boosters, Friends of the Stewart and Drake Libraries, the Grinnell Area Arts Council and Grinnell Regional Medical Center Senior Education Program. She was a member of the Tuesday Club and the Grinnell United Methodist Church.

Elaine was employed at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Grinnell Community Day Care Center and Grinnell Regional Medical Center. At GRMC she was on the staff of the public relations department and was the hospital’s first Volunteer Coordinator. After her retirement in 1998, she continued to serve as the Medical Center’s volunteer historian. As a resident of Mayflower Homes, she served on the staff of the Mayflower Log.

She is survived by her daughter Barbara Noe Koch and husband, David, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; granddaughter, Jennifer White Warren and husband Nathan; great grandchildren Evelyn, Nicholas, and Hannah Warren, all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, William John Noe, Jr. and his father William John Noe, Sr.

A graveside committal service will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Hazelwood Cemetery, at 12:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor John Albertson.

The family will greet friends Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Buckley Dining Room at the Mayflower in Grinnell, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grinnell United Methodist Church Foundation or the Mayflower Residents Assistance Fund. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Elaine’s long time personal physician, Dr. J.B. Paulson, as well as staff of the Mayflower Community, UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center and UnityPoint Hospice-Grinnell.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell. Condolences may be expressed at www.smithfh.com

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