HELDT, Annetta Minerva (WARD) ROHDE

WARD, MULLEN, ROHDE, HELDT, LYLE, CALHOUN, IMUS, TULLIS, GREENLAND, LAYTON, WILHOIT, KOPSICK, CHESTNUT, KLASSEN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/23/2018 at 21:32:42

Annetta Minerva (Ward) Rohde Heldt
November 18, 1911 ~ December 18, 2006

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Annetta Minerva Heldt, age 95 of Decatur, Iowa, daughter of Frank Thomas Ward and Alta Clara (Mullen) Ward, was born November 18, 1911 in Decatur County, Iowa, and died December 18, 2006 at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa.

Annetta married Carl Rohde on September 18, 1930. To this union three daughters were born: Barbara Ann and twins Joyce Jenean and Janice Jean. Annetta and Carl raised their family in rural Decatur.

After her children were grown, Annetta began a 22-year career as an Adoption Specialist for the State Board of Control of Iowa. She placed many children in foster homes and coordinated adoptions. Annetta was an advocate for children and was very compassionate in her work.

On February 14, 1961, Annetta married John Heldt. Annetta loved being on their farm west of Decatur and being outside. She loved both vegetable and flower gardening, hoeing, mowing, and keeping her garden immaculate. Annetta was a long-time member of the Decatur United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and worked tirelessly in anvy way needed.

Her daughters enjoyed vacations with their mother. Annetta's love was always there for them, and they enjoyed her terrific sense of humor.

Preceding Annetta in death were her son-in-law Robert G. Lyle; granddaughter Karen Calhoun; young brother Freddie Ward and brother Francis Ward; and sisters: Mary Imus, Augusta Tullis, Valerie Greenland, and Clara Layton.

Surviving are her three daughters: Barbara Wilhoit and husband Harold, Joyce Lyle, and Janice Tuthill and husband Johne; 5 grandchildren: Donna Kopsick, Johne Tuthill, Janice Chestnut, Carol Klassen, and Robert Lyle; 9 great grandchildren: Christopher, Kimberly, Vanessa, Ryan, Scott, Andrew, Carly, Caroline, and Jessie; great-great grandson Parker, nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

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Annetta was initated into Decatur Chapter #322, Order of the Eastern Star, on March 4, 1930. Decatur Chapter consolidated with Grand Valley Chapter #282, Davis City in 1985. She was a 76-year member, and was an officer every year except one, when she was pregnant with her twin girls. She was Worthy Matron 9 times. She loved to escort the new candidates through the ceremony of initiation and was Conductress 29 times. A portion of the notice of her death to the members of Iowa Eastern Star by the Grand Secretary reads: "She probably knew the Ritual better than anyone and could do both the Sister's and Brother's parts. She was one special lady and I was honored to have her as a friend. I always looked forward to seeing her at Grand Chapter and this year was no exception." Other chapters were always pleased to have her visit, because she could and would assume any office as a pro-tem for their meeting, usually with little or no advance notice, from memory. The way she could tell the stories of the women in the Bible was mesmerizing. She was appointed Iowa's Grand Representative to Oklahoma in 1967-68 and to Michigan in 1996-97 and attended Michigan's Grand Chapter Sessions in 1996. She served as an Iowa Grand Chapter Committee Member several times.

She was initiated into the Leon #42 White Shrine of Jerusalem on November 27, 1939. She held an office every year for 67 years. She was Worthy High Priestess many times but her favorite office was Chaplain, which she held many, many times. Her ability to memorize the ritual at the age of 95 was awesome indeed. She served as a Supreme Committee Member several times. The White Shrine of Jerusalem is another organization of the Masonic Fraternity.

* * * *

ANNETTA MINERVA HELDT

November 18, 1911
Decatur County, Iowa

December 18, 2006
Leon, IA

FUNERAL SERVICE
Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, December 28, 2006
10:00 a.m.

OFFICIATING
Pastor Steve McElroy

RECORDED MUSIC SELECTIONS
"Just A Closer Walk"
"Amazing Grace"
"In the Garden"

BEARERS
Max Albaugh
Harlan Layton
Robert Lyle
Greg Mullen
Mel Mullen
Ben Yutzy

INTERMENT
Decatur Cemetery
Decatur, Iowa

Order of the Eastern Star Service
Grand Valley Chapter # 282, Davis City
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
6:00 p.m. at
Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home, Leon, Iowa

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2018