CODDINGTON, Anna Rose

CODDINGTON, BASS, GIPE, REAGEN, HEATH, SAMUELSON, ROBERTS, WHITE, HENNING, KANE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/4/2005 at 11:59:14

Malvern Leader
August 5, 2004

Anna Rose Coddington, the daughter of Zeno Bass Jr. and Rena (Gipe) Bass, was born on a farm just south of Strahan, Iowa on February 7, 1918. She attended a small rural school in Strahan. At age 11, she joined the Strahan Methodist Church, where she maintained a life-long membership. In 1939, she graduated with honors from Drake University in Des Moines, with a triple major in Theatre, Vocal, Music, and Expression. She was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron), Daughters of the American Revolution, and American Legion Auxiliary.

After college, she sang live on radio stations, for churches, weddings and funerals. She once worked at WHO radio in Des Moines where Ronald Reagan was a sportscaster, and they even dated casually.

While working in Metropolitan Life in Fort Dodge, she met her first husband, Lyle Williams Coddington, and they were married in her ancestral home in Strahan on December 21, 1941. A few weeks later, Lyle enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Anna Rose accompanied Lyle to various bases in Washington, Arizona, and Sioux City, Iowa. She was able to work in offices on the various bases, and also maintained her singing career.

Anna Rose and Lyle were blessed with their first child, a son, which they named Lyle Jr., while stationed in Sioux City. In 1945, the family moved to the childhood home of Anna Rose. Lyle farmed and Anna Rose was a homemaker. She enjoyed her garden, chickens and daily cooking for the “hired men” who assisted with the farming. While there, they were blessed with their second child, Lana. She was the perfection of health and Anna Rose took great pride when she entered Lana in the Iowa State Baby Contest and Lana won with one of the highest scores ever recorded.

The family enjoyed vacationing in Minnesota, Canada, South Dakota, and Yellowstone Park. When time permitted, they also enjoyed weekends at Lake Manawa fishing and proudly cruising the lake in their boat.

In 1953 Anna Rose and Lyle moved the family to Shenandoah. Anna Rose loved her house and was a gracious hostess for parties and meetings for AAUW, Music Club and Community Theatre. Lyle was the owner of the local Conoco gasoline station. Anna Rose and Lyle were blessed with yet another son, Brian, while in Shenandoah. In 1964, the family decided to return to farming. They bought a farm in Randolph, and established Balton Kennels, breeding small dogs. Anna Rose also began teaching speech at Fremont-Mills High School in Tabor. Lyle also worked as the Executive Chef at the Glenwood State School during that time.

After Lyle developed heart problems, he and Anna Rose sold their farm and returned to her ancestral home in Strahan in 1970. They moved the Balton Kennel to this farm and reestablished their business. Anna Rose was caring for her ailing mother who lived with them until she passed away in 1975. Her father had already passed away in 1968, following a series of strokes.

Anna Rose continued to teach and manage the kennel business. While attending summer school for teacher recertification at Peru State College in Nebraska, Anna Rose enjoyed a brief return to performance as “lil”, the tavern owner in Buffalo City’s Wild West Show. Her students at Fremont-Mills High School earned numerous State awards in speech competition, and the community enjoyed the plays that she directed. Anna Rose took an active role in the Iowa High School Speech Association, as President of the southwest section, and actually writing the course for judge certification.

Anna Rose lost her husband, Lyle in 1980. He passed away from complications during heart surgery. As a widow, Anna Rose continued to teach and directed her energies to nurturing her students and maintaining the kennel. Four years later, she retired from teaching.

In 1985, Anna Rose was inducted into the Iowa Speech Association Hall of Fame, where she was a board member for 10 years. She was honored at a special ceremony and a reception in Des Moines. Her children were very proud of her accomplishments. She, in return, was also proud of her children, as all three had graduated from college.

Anna Rose had deep family roots in Mills County. When the Mills County Historical Society began developing a museum at the Glenwood Park, she donated an original “peg” barn from the farm. Her ancestry and family were always a priority.

Anna Rose was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. She became involved with the Iowa Association for the Blind, as they were assisting her in adapting to her low-vision environment. Anna Rose attended a camp for the blind at Camp Wesley Woods near Indianola. There, she met Albert Henning, a farmer from Scranton. They remained in contact and returned to Camp Wesley Woods where they were married on April 21, 1991. They lived in Anna Rose’s home in Strahan for five years. During this time, Anna Rose decided to sell the kennel and finally enjoy retirement. Following several illnesses, on March 18, 1996, Al died suddenly at home.

After losing Al, she began visiting Lana and her husband, Dennis, in California. The visits became more frequent and she fell in love with the warm climate, the Pacific Ocean, and California strawberries and decided to move in with them at their home on the beach in Port Hueneme. She became reacquainted with her first cousin, Vivian Heath, who resides in Santa Barbara, California. Together, they took a vacation trip to Hawaii and had a wonderful time. Anna Rose also became reacquainted with an old college friend, Frank Samuelson, who lived in Glendale, California. Anna Rose enjoyed traveling with Lana and Dennis and had wonderful memories of trips to Reno, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, and a cruise to Alaska.

In 1999, they moved to Portland, Oregon. Although Anna Rose never got used to the rain and cloudy skies, she did enjoy the mild temperatures. In 2001, Anna Rose underwent the heart valve replacement surgery. Although she recovered fully, she was having mobility issues due to Degenerative Arthritis. She decided that it was time for her to seek an environment where she could receive more assistance and in November 2002, she moved to Avamere Assisted Living Center in Hillsboro, Oregon. She was very happy there and was able to keep her beloved companion, a Shin Tzu named Amber, in her apartment. She enjoyed playing Bingo three times per week and also enjoyed various excursions around the community. She remained there until March 2004, when she was transferred to Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon.

Anna Rose died on July 28, 2004 at the Maryville Nursing Home having attained the age of 86 years, five months and 21 days. Her parents, Zeno and Rena Bass; her sister, Irolene Roberts; her brother, Earl Bass; her first husband, Lyle; and her second husband, Al, preceded Anna Rose in death. She is survived by her son, Lyle Coddington, Jr. and his wife Mary of Omaha; her daughter, Lana White and her husband Dennis of Beaverton, Oregon; her son, Brian Coddington and his wife Harli of Carol Stream, IL; her step-son, Michael Henning of Scranton; eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Eastern Star Rites were at the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 2, 2004 with the Emerson Chapter No. 121 of Emerson, Iowa.

Visitation was held at the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home on Monday, August 2, 2004 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services were held at the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Fred Kane of the Hillsboro United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, Oregon officiating.

Pallbearers were Paul Hathaway, Roger Woodfill, LaVerne Obrecht, Robert Woodfill, Bill Brewbaker and Doug Gipe. Honorary pallbearers were John Fishbaugh, James Doyle, Dr. Merlyn Knudson and Jeff Laffey.

Sheri Bowen was the pianist and soloist with the music selection of “Peace in the Valley”, “Softly and Tenderly” and “In The Garden”. Congregational hymn was “On Eagles Wings”.

Registry attendant was Melonie Doyle and interment was in the Malvern, Iowa Cemetery.

Mansfield-Hertz Home in Malvern, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.