Myra Jean Damewood, age 92, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Red Oak. Myra was born August 6, 1934, in Montgomery County, Iowa, the daughter of John and Gertrude (Hall) Platt. She graduated from Emerson High School in Emerson, Iowa, in 1952 and attended Commercial Extension Business School in Omaha. She was united in marriage to Dwayne Bentley, and two children were born to this union: Pam and Gary. She was later married to Louie Farrington and loved his children and grandchildren as her own. She met and married Duane Damewood and cherished time with his family and enjoyed traveling to their Florida home until his passing. Later in life, Myra was kept on her toes by her longtime relationship with Delaine “Red” Josephson. She adored him, his children, and grandchildren. Myra had a long working career with jobs at the truck stop in Tenville, Gibsons in Red Oak, Eveready Battery, Johnny’s Steakhouse, and retiring as Deputy City Clerk for the city of Red Oak. Myra was very active in many groups in the communities she lived in. She was a member of the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered at the Lemon Tree Gift Shop for many years, a member of the Red Hat Society, Blue Bird Clubs of IA and NE, Hawthorne Church and Methodist Women’s Group, Midwest Bus Nuts, Florida SKP, History Center volunteer, Emerson Alumni volunteer, and enjoyed spending time with friends at both the Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge in Red Oak. Her hobbies included traveling to her winter home in Florida for over 30 years and visiting friends along the way, taking care of her flower gardens, being an avid reader and volunteering at the library in Florida, a wide variety of handicrafts, bird watching, line dancing, coffee with her girlfriends, and spending time with her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings: George and Elmer Platt; sister-in-law: Barb Platt; and husbands: Duane Damewood and Red Josephson. Survivors include her children: Pam Huntsman and husband Bob of Emerson, IA and Gary Bentley and wife Dianne of Van Meter, IA; her loving grandchildren: Kilee Docker and husband Danny; Ben Huntsman and wife Krista; Nic Bentley and wife Melissa; Katie LaFollette and husband Tyler; Lindsey Mumm and husband Zak; and Rob Farrington and wife Christine; great grandchildren: Declan Docker, Drake Bentley, Emma Huntsman, Quinn Huntsman, Della Bentley, and Cooper Mumm; and sister-in-law: Rainie Platt of Rogers, AR along with many extended family members and friends.

A celebration of life visitation will be held from 4-6 PM Friday, October 23, 2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.