Hundreds of thousands of words have been spoken of and written about Marshalltown’s iconic Iowa Veterans Home (IVH). It is fitting.
Not long after it opened in 1887, IVH quickly became synonymous with Marshalltown, a community known for its distinctive courthouse, the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital, Fisher Controls, Lennox Manufacturing, Marshalltown Trowel, and meatpacking businesses.
The hospital later became UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown —Fisher Controls was sold by Monsanto and later to the Emerson Co. It is now known as Emerson Process Management. Marshalltown Trowel was renamed MARSHALLTOWN Co.
Numerous ownership groups transitioned in the volatile meat-packing industry. Locally, it has stabilized significantly beginning in 2007 when JBS Brazil — later JBS USA —purchased the former Swift & Co. facility in the town’s northeast quadrant.
Later, the Lincoln Highway — later renamed U.S. Highway 30 — helped usher in the town’s famed restaurants and confectioneries; Lillie Mae Chocolates, Stone’s, The Tremont Inn and Hotel, Taylor’s Maid-Rite, Zeno’s Pizza and more.
Now in its 139th year, IVH continues its legacy forged initially with its motto: “Iowa Forgets Not the Defenders of the Union.”
Accordingly, it was opened in 1887 to serve aging and disabled Iowa Civil War veterans. This was decades before federal and state veterans benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other social “safety-net” programs became uniformly available.
Amos Fox of Livermore, a Civil War veteran, was the first resident admitted, according to Karl Lettow, the Iowa Department of Veterans Affair’s public information officer.
On Monday afternoon, Lettow presented a program on IVH’s distinguished history in the Malloy Leisure Resource Center to an audience of more than 125 residents, staff, the Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) and central Iowa residents.
Commandant Todd Jacobus also presented. The HSMC scheduled the event with extensive assistance from IVH staff as part of its monthly educational history story programs open to the public and free-of-charge.
In his detailed presentation, Lettow said the facility – like other community icons – has had numerous name changes. “The Soldiers Home” and “The Old Soldiers Home” were previous names, he said.
The IVH legacy began in 1886 when a group of Marshalltonians convinced a citizens commission charged with selecting a site that Marshalltown was the best location. The Marshalltonians were A.C. Abbott, Sidney Foster, Dr. George Glick, S.C. McFarland, Col. J.M. Parker and S.E. Sears.
The state panel told communities that local financial donations which would be applied to project costs would be an important factor in the selection.
“They (Marshalltonians) raised $30,000 in donations to help make their case statement,” Lettow said.
Other communities vying were Algona, Boone, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Colfax, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Hampton, Indianola, Jefferson, Mason City, McGregor, Sac City and Webster City, according to HSMC and Times-Republican archives.
When announcement of the successful bid reached Marshalltown, an impromptu parade was organized with 11 female members of the Salvation Army, the municipal band, Company D of the Iowa National Guard and rejoicing citizens. Rockets and Roman candles were shot from the roof of the Johnson, Ketchum and Woodbury buildings.
The funds Marshalltown raised were applied to the purchase of 128 acres of land with $12,000 remaining. That amount was combined with $100,000 the state had appropriated to construct the facility.
Lettow presented with photos every commandant ranging from the first to Jacobus. Lettow acknowledged the work of previous commandants in maintaining high standards.
He said previous commandants like the late James Gilliam and the late Jack Dack were instrumental in making IVH a modern health care facility. Dack was a U.S. Navy veteran and a health care professional.
“He oversaw much development during his tenure (from) 1969-2002,” said Lettow.
During Dack’s tenure. Malloy Hall was built and later dedicated.
Lettow said former commandant Jodi Tymeson, the first female commandant and a Boone native, was instrumental in IVH being in compliance with annual local, state and Veterans Administration inspections.
Jacobus said present day management and the future offers challenges and opportunities.
“We have 400 residents now supported by nearly 900 staff and volunteers,” he said. “We are licensed for 447 residents but we do not have the required number of nurses. Finding nurses is a major challenge in health care. Regardless, we continue to be the gold standard in health care for veterans.”
IVH offers comprehensive long-term care to veterans, their eligible spouses and Gold Star mothers. It offers two levels of medical assistance. Residential care for those needing minimal daily help and nursing care for those requiring constant supervision. Also provided is memory care for those afflicted with dementia.
For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs – dvaiowa.gov,, or telephone IVH at 641-752-1501.