After 24 years, the Meadows still home to Granny Shivvers

At 98 years old, Granville “Granny” Shivvers has spent almost the last one-fourth of his life at the Meadows Independent Living. Though he didn’t grow up in Clarion, he’s been part of the community so long—and has seen enough of his old friends and acquaintances come to the Meadows, as well—that the area and people have become his own.

“I feel more at home here than anyplace else,” he said.

Shivvers first came to Wright County in 1955 after having grown up in Marion County, Iowa, and spending a few years farming before starting in soil conservation.

Shivvers worked in conservation and in Wright County for 23 years, and then worked on tiling and drainage, which helped him get to know a lot of farmers in the Clarion area. He also became good friends with his neighbor Dr. Robert Eaton. After Shivvers retired in 1978, he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Arizona and later Florida, where Eaton visited them.

Starting in 1991 when The Meadows was being built, Eaton sent him photos as the foundation slabs were being laid and tried to convince Shivvers to come back to Clarion to live in one of the new apartments, where he would be living, also. Shivvers became more interested as the building neared completion.

“Could I have an apartment on the second floor looking toward Hagie’s?” Shivvers asked him.

 

For the full story, see the June 1 edition of the Monitor.

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.