GERSEMA, Louise Anna (Vetter) 1924-2014

GERSEMA, VETTER, LITTERER

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 6/11/2014 at 00:58:24

Louise Anna Gersema passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the age of 90 years at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls.

A funeral service to honor her life will be held at St John's United Church of Christ-Pleasant Hill, rural Nashua, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Jessica Margrave-Shirm officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Hugeback Johnson funeral Home-Olson Chapel in Nashua on Monday, May 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. and an hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

Louise was born April 28, 1924 in Floyd County, the daughter of Walter and Anna Marie (Litterer) Vetter. She was the fourth of seven children. She, along with her sisters, Dorothy, Edna, Elsie and Laura, and her brothers Gerald and Donald grew up on the family farm, and experienced great joy, even during The Great Depression. They kept a close family bond, always enjoying visiting, family meals, and playing cards.

Because of her parent’s value for education, Louise graduated from Charles City High School, after completing her primary education at Riverton No. 4 Country School in rural Nashua.

After graduation, Louise was employed at McCoy Truck Lines in Charles City filing and organizing records. She was united in marriage to Clarence Henry Gersema on December 1, 1944 at her parent's family farm. Louise used her savings to buy their first combine to begin their lifelong dream of farming together. Louise cherished and valued this time. To this union 4 children were born; David, Faye, Kathy and Lisa.

Everything Louise touched; she handled with care, and was known for her beautiful flower gardens, intricate quilting stitches, and passing along many family traditions, including baking brochstolens and cinnamon bread for holidays. Louise was very interested in genealogy, and enjoyed researching and organizing family heritage.

Louise had a gift of hospitality and was always welcoming for one more at the table and sharing whatever she had. Friends and family enjoyed gathering at her home where she was full of quick-wit, hard-work and new adventures.

Louise was an active life-time member of St John's United Church of Christ; the church was the center and anchor of her being. Louise was a member of the Hobby Club for over 60 years and they continued to gather even in Louise's later years. Louise helped organize The Neighborhood club and also greatly enjoyed her Quilting Club.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, David (Cindy) Gersema of Nashua; three daughters, Faye Stetzel of Cedar Falls, Kathy (Jeff) Siems of Clare, and Lisa Gersema of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Louise put her heart into her family, which brought forth 9 grandchildren, Christina (Christopher) Rodesiler, Suellen(Steve) Runge, Jim (Nicole) Gersema, Amy Stetzel, Michael(Chelsey) Stetzel, Emily(Lance) Allgood, Paula(Bryan)Allen, Mark Siems, and Brian Siems and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Laura Koeff of Nashua and her brothers Gerald (Beulah) Vetter of Charles City, and Donald (Shari) Vetter of Greene.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence in 2005; her parents; three sisters, Dorothy Scott, Edna Speicher, and Elsie Heitz.

Louise was a wonderful lady. She was a caring and thoughtful mother, grandmother and friend, full of grace and dignity. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Source: New Hampton Tribune - Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2014