Beulah Annette Kozelka 1915-2001

NELSON, GUNDERSON, KOZELKA, LARSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 12/19/2009 at 11:44:16

Funeral services for Beulah Kozelka were held Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Postville, Iowa. The Rev. Robert Hupp officiated. Joann Martins was the organist and special music was provided by Arthur Amundson and Ronald Meyer. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery. Casket bearers were David Day, Ronald Taylor, John Kittleson, Paul Manson, Stan Straate, Millard Nelson, Jr., John Schultz, Larry Reed, M. F. Kiesau, M.D., Lyle Zieman, R. F. Schneider, DVM and LaVerne Rose.

Beulah Annette Kozelka, the daughter of Edwin G. and Emma Annette (Nelson) Gunderson, was born Oct. 18, 1915 on a farm in Fayette County, near Clermont, Iowa. She passed away Sunday evening, January 28, 2001 at the Good Samaritan Center in Postville, Iowa. She had reached the age of 85 years, three months, and ten days.

She was baptized November 28, 1915, and confirmed May 11, 1929. Following her graduation from Clermont High School, Beulah worked in the office of DR. I.C. Jerdee in Clermont. On February 24, 1941 she married Edward Kozelka in St. Bridget's Catholic Rectory in Postville. They began their married life in the house that Ed had built on West Williams Street in Postville, and called this home for the next 56 years. Their daughter Gail, was born in 1943. In May of 1997 they moved to the East Park Terrace Condominiums. Beulah became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Postville on Oct. 22, 1999.

Beulah was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and WELCA. She actively served on the church council and many other committees. As wedding coordinator at St. Paul's she enjoyed assisting with more than 100 weddings.

Beulah was involved in the community and was a member of P.E.O. Chapter FT, Club of the Hour, Hospital Auxiliary, and Historical Society. For many years she enjoyed her friends in the Nisse Rosemalers, and the rosemaled items she leaves behind are treasured by her family and friends.

People who rose early in Postville would often see her happily working in her garden and flowers. Beulah often served as a judge in flower arranging competitions. She spoiled Ed with her delicious cooking and baking.

An active Republican, she never lacked a political opinion. Beulah's greatest joy came from helping others.

Ed and Beulah spent nine winters in Olympia, Washington making new friends and enjoying being near their daughter and son-in-law. The highlight of her week was quilting with the Friendship Quilters who met at their church.

She is survived by her daughter, Gail and her husband, Dr. Larry Larson of Olympia, Washington; two grandsons, Michael (Kirstin) Larson and Stephen (Jill) Larson, all of Seattle, Washington; one brother, Merril (Lorraine) Gunderson of West Union, Iowa; two nieces and many cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edward, who died January 11, 2000; a sister, Verla Gunderson, who died January 23, 2001; and a brother who died at the age of two.

Postville Herald-Leader newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.
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