Toomer, Gail S. (1920-2008)
TOOMER, LEHMKUHL, BEHRENS, KLAUSTERMEIER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/23/2010 at 14:02:35
Gail S. Toomer - Apr. 9, 1920 - Sept. 15, 2008
Gail S. Toomer, age 88, of Storm Lake, died Monday, September 15, 2008, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
Gail Sophie was born to Louis and Sophie (Behrens) Lehmkuhl on April 9, 1920, in Storm Lake, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Church of Christ in Newell. Gail lived her childhood years on a farm north of Newell and attended Newell Consolidated School, graduating in 1938.
On January 22, 1944, Gail was united in marriage to Edward Toomer in Coffeyville, Kansas, where Ed was initially stationed during World War II. While Ed was at sea, she delivered her first child, Ann, in McAllen, Texas. After his return from the Pacific Theatre, they lived on a farm in Nemaha, Iowa for four years where Jerry was born. The family moved seven miles north of Newell, Iowa, where they lived and farmed for 40 years.
Gail is loved and remembered as a woman who strived to do it all. She experienced the economic depression of the 1930’s on the farm with her parents by burning corn for fuel. She also lived in Newell for her last two years of high school to save money on gas: the times were challenging.
Gail enjoyed being a part of the farming operation and was an active partner with Ed and the family in the day-to-day work on the farm. As a farm wife, she worked in the field along side Ed and family, but could also whip up a dinner for ten in no time flat! In 1990, she and Ed retired from active farm life and moved to “the city”, Storm Lake.
She treasured her time playing bridge with friends in both Albert City and Storm Lake as well as dancing at the Cobblestone Ballroom where she met Ed. Her love of dancing and big band music was truly a highlight of her life: she and Ed spent nearly every Saturday evening watching Lawrence Welk and most Sunday evenings dancing at the Lake View Ballroom.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Ed, of Storm Lake; her daughter, Ann Klaustermeier, and her husband, Larry, of Novato, California; her son, Jerry Toomer and his wife Linda of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren: Christopher Toomer of Semarang, Indonesia, Sarah Klaustermeier of Denver, Colorado, and Andrew Klaustermeier of Big Sky, Montana; and her many friends.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Michael Toomer in 1999.
Funeral services for Mrs. Toomer will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home at 1615 West Milwaukee Street in Storm Lake where the family will be present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Gail Toomer memorial fund.
Gail, thanks for the memories!
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Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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