Eula M. Riley

Eula Mae (Tindle) Riley was born on a farm southwest of Clearfield, Iowa, on May 1, 1918, the second child of George Andrew and Nettie Pearl (Routh) Tindle. She departed from this life September 25, 2007, at the age of 89 years, 4 months, and 25 days at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Iowa.
Eula Mae was a fun loving girl who enjoyed the farm life, milking cows, and riding her horse “Red”. Being close in age, she and sister Mary Belle spent days playing together like twins. Eula Mae attended country school in Ringgold County at Lincoln #8, and then graduated from Clearfield High School with the class of 1935, barely at the age of seventeen. With her “normal training”, Eula Mae took her first job teaching at Lincoln #5 for four years. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge and worked extra hard for those that needed special help.
On May 25, 1940, Eula Mae was united in marriage to Robert Elvin Riley in Lenox, IA. They made their home near Stringtown, where she had continued to reside for 67 years. Children Richard, Randall, David, and Nancy made their family complete. Eula Mae performed all the usual tasks of a farm wife, raising chickens, gardening, and helping wherever needed. She became involved with the Adams county 4-H clubs, helping girls learn homemaking skills. Later she enjoyed activities at the Stringtown Church, belonging to the Ladies Aid Club and quilting on Wednesdays. Many dinners were served at the church with her help. She enjoyed vacations with her family and later she and Elvin were fortunate to travel to many places, including twice to Hawaii. Many of these adventures included Elvins sister Leona, and her husband Carl.
In 1987, Elvin and Eula Mae built their retirement home in Riverside, CA near their son Richard. She dearly loved this home and watched four grandsons grow to adulthood.
Patient, kind, unselfish, and optimistic are words to describe Eula Mae. She had a special closeness in her heart for her brother, G.A., and granddaughter, Kristyn. She greatly loved all of her grandchildren and told them frequently how proud she was of their accomplishments. With Elvins declining health, Eula Mae lovingly cared for him at their home until his death November 1, 2003. She enjoyed having company and there was always plenty of food to be served when stopping by. She would answer the phone with a cheerful “Hello”, no matter how bad she felt and always leave you with good advice about your problems. “Ill be okay, dont worry about me” was frequently heard as one left her home. She was happy to maintain her independence and to take care of her own needs in her own home.
Family left to miss her include son Richard Riley of Riverside, CA, his children Kevin and Susan Riley, Kurt Riley, Jason and Heather Riley, Baby Matthew Riley, daughter in law Kathy and children Joey, Courtney, Kylie, and Kristina; son Randall Riley and wife Pam, of Lenox , his children Rob and Kirsten Riley, and Erin Riley; son David Riley and wife Nancy of Lenox, his children Allison Riley, Aaron and Stephanie Riley, and Alyssa Riley; and daughter Nancy Ford and husband Mike, of Tingley, her children Kyle Ford, Kristyn Ford, and Kirk Ford; sister Mary Wilson of Lenox, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Elvin, grandson Phillip Riley, sister Beulah, brother G.A., brother-in-law Marvin Wilson, and Elvins sister Leona and Carl Stanley.