Mary Estelle (Gappa) Godfredsen 1929-2020

GODFREDSEN, GAPPA, WALDRON

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 9/26/2020 at 09:08:48

Mary Estelle Godfredsen, daughter of Frank and Mary (Waldron) Gappa, was born on October 15, 1929 in Whittemore, Iowa. She passed away on April 24, 2020, at Windsor Manor Assisted Living in Algona, Iowa at the age of 90 years.

Mary graduated from high school in Ayrshire, Iowa and then attended St. Mary's in Omaha, Nebraska. While at the Plantation Ballroom in Whittemore one evening, she met Elvin "Al" Godfredsen. On March 2, 1954 the couple was united in marriage in Ayrshire. The couple made their home in rural Armstrong, where they farmed side by side, milking 26 cows daily. Mary also enjoyed her jobs as a restaurant cook and clerk at the grocery store. The couple retired from farming in 1986, but continued to live on the farm until 2015. Al passed away on February 6, 2015. Mary then made her home at Windsor Manor in Algona.

Mary was a member at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Armstrong. She enjoyed dancing, playing piano, and painting ceramics. Family was very important to Mary, and she loved to share her sense of humor with them.

Mary is survived by her children Diane (Dick) Pierson of Greeley, Colorado, Denise (Don) Walker of Algona, Ron (Renee) Godfredsen of Webster City, Iowa, and Rob (Jill) Godfredsen of Urbandale, Iowa. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Al Godfredsen, a grandson, Danny Pierson, her parents, her brother Robert (Mary) Gappa, and her sister Marguerite (Dick) Dale.

The funeral service was held Saturday, August 8, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Armstrong with burial at the church cemetery.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)