Cordes, Elmira E. E. (Kaiser) 1911-2004
KRUSE, KAISER, CORDES, HILLMAN, BELDEN, LOVELAND
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/13/2008 at 08:55:51
Elmira Edith Emelie Cordes
Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. on July 26, 2004 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona, Iowa, with interment in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona, for Elmira Edith Emelie Cordes, 92, of Monona, who died Thursday, July 22, 2004 at Central Community Hospital following a brief illness. Leonard Funeral Home, Monona, was in charge of the arrangements.
She was born in Giard Township near Monona on November 23, 1911, to Arno John and Amanda (Kruse) Kaiser. Elmira was baptized into the Lutheran faith on December 3, 1911, by Rev. Wapler and was later confirmed on August 13, 1925, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona by Rev. Daugs.
She received her education in the Monona public school, graduating with the class of 1929. She then attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (now UNI) and taught three years in rural schools.
She was united in marriage to Edward D. Cordes on January 1, 1934, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, by Rev. A. Daugr. Four children were born to this union, sons Edward and Norman, and a son and daughter who died in infancy.
Throughout the years, she helped her husband in their produce and hatchery business. After her family was raised, she taught for eleven years in the Postville school system. During this time she attended Luther College and Upper Iowa University graduating Magna Cum Laude from Upper Iowa University with a degree in Science.
Elmira held membership in the Monona Woman Club for sixty-eight years, acting as its president and holding many offices. She was elected Clayton County president of the Iowa Federation of Women’s Clubs and held numerous state offices. She was president of the Monona Public Library Board. She was instrumental in organizing the local Cub Scout troop, and was the first Den Mother. For thirty-two years Elmira taught Sunday school and was appointed an instructor of the Lutheran TTT program (Teacher Teaches Teachers) on the state and national levels for ten years, demonstrating Sunday school teaching methods. Her church activities were dear to her heart. She was twice president of the Women of the church, the leader of a Junior Mission group on the local and district level, leader of the education department, Cradle Roll, Mother’s club and a helper in Luther League. She enjoyed Bible study and was a member of Faith Circle. A great joy was her visit to the Holy Land and Greece with a church group. Elmira was interested in reading, history, studies, teaching and children, and bridge. Elmira was grateful to her family and friends for their help in her later years.
Survivors include one son, Edward Douglas (Paula) Cordes, of Connersville, IN; one daughter-in-law, Lois Cordes, of Strawberry Point; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one step-grandchild; two step-great-grandchildren and one brother-in-law, Howard Belden, of Spirit Lake.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on November 23, 1987, two sons, Norman Leigh Cordes and one son and one daughter in infancy and two sisters, Gladys Hillman Loveland and Laverne Belden.
Extracted from a funeral brochure. Submitter is not related and has no further information.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen