Clea F. Gallup

ASKELSON, BALDUS, BENESH, FAWKES, FICKEN, GALLUP, MUELLER, MUMM, PINT, REED, REINSCH

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 6/27/2024 at 15:07:53

Clea F. Gallup, 87, of Independence, IA died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Lexington Estates in Independence, IA.

Clea was born on June 25, 1937, the daughter of Fred and Elva (Baldus) Reinsch. Clea grew up in Gilbert, Iowa. There she was known for her outstanding basketball skills. As a five-year varsity starter, she earned first-team All-State honors her senior year. The Des Moines Register quoted her to be " the best long shot in the state with Gilbert's record that year 29-1, mainly due to the splendid play of 5-year veteran Clea Reinsch". Clea was Gilbert's top scorer in 1955, averaging 29 points a game.

Clea was awarded an Iowa Girls Athletic Union scholarship to play women's basketball at Iowa Wesleyan College. There she was a four-year letter winner. She graduated in 1959 with a teaching degree. Clea had fun being a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority in college. She went on to teach at the Walker High School in Walker Iowa, for one year, teaching 9th-grade science, 10th-grade biology, 11th-grade American History, junior and senior high P.E., and coaching girls basketball and girls softball.

On May 28, 1960, Clea married Frank E. Gallup, Sr. in Independence, IA. They made their home on a farm of Independence, where they raised their three children, Michelle “Mickey”, Frank “Junior”, and Teresa “Terri.” Clea was actively involved in women's slow-pitch softball, bowling, and VFW Auxiliary. She thoroughly enjoyed and attended all of her children's activities and did the same for her grandchildren. Clea and Frank played 500 in a longstanding neighborhood card club. Their favorite pastime was fishing together on the Mississippi.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Michelle “Mickey” (Gene) Ficken of Independence and Terri Mumm of Clear Lake, Iowa, a son, Junior (Terri) Gallup of Independence, twelve grandchildren; Garret Ficken, Independence, IA, Paige (Tyson) Benesh, Independence, IA, Michael (Kayla) Gallup, Winthrop, IA, Mason (Cristen) Gallup, Masonville, IA Breanne (Nic) Reed, Clear Lake, IA, Brittany (Zach) Mueller, Clear Lake, IA, and Bailey Mumm, North Liberty, IA, step-grandchildren; Travis (Nikki) Ficken, Colin Pint, Austin Pint, Lucas (Jenni) Pint, and Connor Pint, fourteen great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Carol Reinsch, and many nieces and nephews.

Clea is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Elva Reinsch, her husband, Frank Gallup, Sr., two sisters; Naoma Askelson, and Ethelle Fawkes, and three brothers; Dale, Raymond, and Maurice Reinsch.

The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment will be held at the Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, IA. Visitation will be held from 9 AM until the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Gilbert girls basketball program and Gilbert Back Packs for kids.