Parker, Gertrude (1904-2008)

PARKER, GUMTAU, KAPING, JOHNSON, MECHEM

Posted By: Colleen J. Ossman (email)
Date: 1/6/2009 at 09:33:52

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, 2 Jan 2009

Gertrude Parker, 104, of Webster City, died Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Crestview Senior Living. There will be no services. Burial will take place in the Lawn Hill Cemetery, south of Stanhope. Arrangements were made with the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center.

Gertrude Matilda Parker, daughter of Arthur and Agnes Kaping Gumtau, was born October 19, 1904 at Dixon, IL. She moved, with her parents to Iowa in 1910. They resided at Webster City. She received her education in Webster City schools, graduating from Lincoln High in 1921, at the age of 16. On June 3, 1923, she married William Dean Parker at Boone. They operated the Parker family farm for several years, then moved to Stanhope where Mr. Parker was postmaster for 15 years. Gertrude worked as a postal clerk and homemaker at Stanhope. Mr. Parker died December 15, 1969. She had resided in Webster City since 1986.

Mrs. Parker is survived by a daughter, Gretchen Johnson of Sioux City; 8 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son in infancy, William Dean Parker, Jr.; son, Robert E. Parker; daughter, Mary Ann Mechem; 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

She was baptized into the Lutheran faith, became a member of the Church of Christ at Stanhope at the age of 12. Other memberships included- C.W.F., the Love Circle, Y.M.W. Club, past president of the E.O.T. Club, former president of the Stanhope Senior Citizens, director of the Serenaders for 5 years, selected outstanding Senior Citizen in 1980, County and State Historical Societies, Federation of China Painters teachers, Iowa Poetry Federation, received the Golden Poet Award in 1988-89-90 and 91, Distinguished Poet Award from the National Library of Poetry in 1993 and the International Library of Poetry in 1994, in 1983, she had a Book of Poetry published, served on the Committee for the Medical Building Betterment, served on the Stanhope Centennial committee and was a former news correspondent for the Freeman Journal.

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