KIMBERLY, Gretchen Marguerite 1923-2013

KIMBERLY, HANSON, ALLEN

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 4/12/2013 at 22:42:46

[Waterloo Courier, Thursday, March 14, 2013]

Gretchen Marguerite Kimberly, 90, of Waterloo, passed away quietly in her home on March 9, 2013. She was born on Jan. 28, 1923, to Henry Albert Hanson and Catherine Myrtle (Allen) Hanson. She attended Waterloo West High School and Gates Business College. On Aug. 27, 1950, she married Robert Wirt Kimberly. Bob passed on Feb. 2, 2002.

Gretchen worked at several offices as a secretary until her son Todd was born in 1954. She then printed booklets and newsletters for many local organizations on her hand-cranked mimeograph for more than 50 years. Gretchen cared for many elderly friends and family members in their homes throughout the years, including her husband who was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease for more than 20 years. Todd and his wife Nicki Lura (Maring) Kimberly worked with the Cedar Valley Hospice to care for Gretchen in her own home until her passing.

She was a generous soul. Her civic involvement included Secretaries Auxiliary, Waterloo Audubon Society, Cedar Valley Historical Society and the Sweet Adelines, while her husband was singing in the Twin Town Barber Shop Chorus. She was on the board of the Cottage Hill Cemetery Association in Holy Cross, where many of her relatives are buried. Gretchen also helped to foster homeless cats for the Waverly Pet Rescue, including her Bengal cat, Myrtle (Mamma Meow), who sat faithfully by her side, bringing comfort to her final days.

Survivors include a son, Todd A. Kimberly and his wife Nicki Lura of Waterloo; two nieces, Elaine and Sherry Hanson of Waterloo; a nephew, Mark Hanson of Waterloo; a grandson, James M. Pierce, his wife Shannon; three great-grandchildren, Ian, Amelia and Riley of O’Fallon, Mo.; and a cousin, Donald Allen of Albuquerque, N.M.

Gretchen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Kimberly; her parents, Henry and Catherine Hanson; her brother, Frank Hanson; and a niece, Tammy Hanson.

Visitation is Sunday, March 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Locke Funeral Home, with a private graveside burial at Waterloo Cemetery on Monday, March 18.

Memorials will be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Waverly Pet Rescue.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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