Millersburg- Cleo E. Montross was born August 21, 1919, at home near Koszta, Iowa, the daughter John F. and L. Fern (Kollman) Cronbaugh. Cleo was united in marriage to Hugh R. Montross on November 7, 1942, and following Hugh’s return from the war, they moved to the W.D Montross family farm near Millersburg. Cleo always maintained a very large garden. She worked very hard canning and freezing food to feed the family all year long. She continued to do so after they moved from the farm to Millersburg in 1962.
Cleo taught school while Hugh was in the service. Later in life she worked for 10 years as secretary to the superintendent in Millersburg, and was a flexible postal clerk for the Millersburg Post Office until retirement. After retirement they traveled to Alamo, Texas every winter where they met and enjoyed many “winter Texan” friends. Cleo moved to Texas permanently following Hugh’s death in 1999. Cleo returned to Iowa in 2011 and resided in Iowa City and Davenport.
Bridge was a life-long passion. Hugh and Cleo enjoyed cards with many different friends. Their passion developed into playing, teaching and accumulating master points in duplicate bridge. Hugh and Cleo also enjoyed ballroom dancing. Cleo passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 at Bickford Cottages in Davenport at the age of 97 years.

She is survived by two children: Irene (David) Bender of Huntsville, AL and Dale (Annette) Montross of Dallas, TX; a daughter-in-law: Barbara Montross of Iowa City; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Richard and a sister.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Millersburg United Methodist Church in Millersburg. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will be in the Millersburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Millersburg Methodist Church, the Oaklawn Church of God, Marengo or Beacon of Hope Hospice of Davenport. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.


The family would like to extend a special thanks to Chris Gallin for her care and support of Cleo and to the amazing staff at Bickford Cottages in Davenport, especially Stella and the team at Beacon of Hope Hospice.