Thedens, Cleo Leota (Berry)

THEDENS, BERRY, SUMPTER, CROSS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2005 at 20:59:02

Funeral services for Cleo Leota Thedens, 88, of Knoxville, who died on Tuesday, October 24, 2000, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, will be held on Friday, October 27, 2000, at the Congregational U.C.C. Church in Baxter. Rev. Rollin Watters will officiate at the services. Music will be provided by Sally Allan, organist.

Interment will be at Restland Cemetery in Baxter. Casket bearers are Kevin and David Cross, Roger Butler, J.D. Wright, David Jacobi and Doyle Wright. Honorary Casket bearers are Jerry, Burton and Dennis Butler, Jan Berry and Dennis and Gary Hood.

Cleo was born on August 13, 1912, near Baxter, the daughter of John Berry and Cynthia (Sumpter) Berry. She was raised in the Baxter area and attended school there, graduating with the class of 1929.

She married Denver M. Cross on August 13, 1930. They farmed near Mingo and Baxter and later lived in Baxter, Milo, and Marshalltown. In 1947, Cleo was united in marriage to Fred Thedens. They lived in Oskaloosa before moving to Knoxville. Cleo worked in the dietary department of the V.A. Medical Center in Knoxville for 17 years before retiring.

Cleo enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

She was a member of the Congregational U.C.C. Church in Baxter, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Knoxville Hospital Auxiliary.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents; husband Denver M. Cross; husband Fred R. Thedens; two sons, Michael, in infancy, and David; one step-daughter, Jeanette; great-grandson John Eric Jacobi; two brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by a son, Seward Cross of Upper Marlboro, Md.; a daughter, Maurine Kennedy of Waukee; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and many step-great-great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to Congregational U.C.C. Church.

Arrangements were made by Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.

Knoxville Journal Express, October 30, 2000