Vera Mae (Gerard) Hallenbeck (1902-1929)

GERARD, HALLENBECK

Posted By: Carl Malone (email)
Date: 6/21/2017 at 09:24:54

The Adams County Free Press
Corning, Iowa
November 14, 1929

Mrs. Vernon Hallenbeck, formerly Miss Vera Mae Gerard daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Gerard of Corning, Iowa, passed away October 28, at Colorado Springs. Her body in company with her mother, her brother, Harold, and her husband was returned to Corning Thursday, October 31. Funeral arrangements were immediately given over to Boyd Roland of the Roland Undertaking company, and the burial took place Saturday afternoon in Prairie Rose cemetery.

Vera Mae Gerard was born Feb. 14, 1902, at Corning. She began her education by attending a country school near her parents farm home. Later she enrolled and was graduated from the Corning high school. In the fall of 1920 she entered the State University of Iowa where she became a member of Chi Omega sorority. Being exceptionally brilliant of mind her college life was unusually pleasant as she not only secured honors in her studies but was also interested in many social and collegiate activities. She was one of the most popular girls on the campus during her four years at the university and at her graduation was awarded two scholastic degrees, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. In June 1925, she obtained a position as high school teacher at Stanwood, Iowa, where she taught one year and then suffered a break in health which prompted her residence in Colorado Springs.

Vera’s many friends were grieved to learn of her sudden death. Though she had gone to Colorado Springs August 5, 1925, for her health, her improvement had been decidedly satisfactory and the past summer she had apparently reached renewed health together with the promise of a live happiness for which she had so patiently and so bravely striven. On October 9, 1929, she was married to Vernon Hallenbeck of Chicago, son of J. L. Hallenbeck of Iron Mountain, Michigan. Her wedding was one of the prettiest ever witnessed in Colorado Springs—all so in keeping with Vera’s refinement and loveliness. It was a candle light ceremony performed in the evening at her home in the Russ-Amer apartments. Ferns and white chrysanthemums were banked against the mahogany walls and lighted only by white candles. At one end of the parlor was an altar of flowers and ferns where she accepted in sacred wedlock and in supreme happiness the hand of her chosen one. As a bride she wore a gorgeous polar bear satin gown of princess lines, and on her head in place of the traditional veil, she had a crown of pearls and lilies of the valley. At the conclusion of her wedding and the reception, which was attended by only a few of her most intimate friends and her dear mother she and her bridegroom slipped away form their guests and sped away in an awaiting automobile for the honeymoon which was so suddenly clouded with tragedy. On the second day of the honeymoon Vera became desperately ill and soon thereafter all hopes of her recovery were shattered for it was learned she was stricken with a deadly form of meningitis from which her only escape was death, preceded by about the most terrific suffering known to mankind. Every minute she spent in torture upon her path to death and fought bravely and without complaint. Like a saint upon earth she saw only goodness, unselfishness and life of hope and peace all of which were so a part of her. Up until the last she dreamed of her wedding, her home and of loved ones.

Funeral services were held at the [line missing from newspaper clipping] Norman Elliott [Lambly] of the Federated church with which she was affiliated. A household of friends and relatives came from far and near to mourn and view the remains of Vera who was loved so dearly by all. In her wedding gown and in a garden of beautiful floral tributes she was laid to rest blooming as she did upon earth, like a pretty, dainty rosebud which opens in spring, beautifies and perfumes in summer only to die and return to dust in the fall. Thus a soul took flight—a human flower of loveliness, of sweetness sublime.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Gerard of Corning; her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gerard of Denver, Colorado; and by her husband, Vernon Hallenbeck, who is residing in Colorado Springs.