French, Achsa 1896-1985

FRENCH, LEGG, KINGDON, CHEDESTER, WORDEN, ROLLINS, RENWICK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/23/2011 at 11:29:21

The Grinnell Herald-Register; Dec. 2, 1985

ACHSA FRENCH RITES MONDAY

Achsa French, 89, of 1918 West St., Grinnell, died at her home Thursday, Nov. 28.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the Grinnell United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Raymond C. Lott officiating. Organist was Kathleen Heffner.

Pallbearers were Floyd Barr, Glenn Chedester, Jack Chedester, Jerry Chedester, Gerald Foster, Floyd Hunter and Harvey Quindt. Honorary bearers were Margaret Arnold, Zelma Doud, Thressa Milhollin, Pat Pierce, Lois Quindt and Lucille Reavis.

An Achsa French Memorial Fund has been established, and contributions may be made in care of the Smith Funeral Home.

The daughter of Charles Henry and Carrie Legg Kingdon, she was born Sept. 25, 1896, in Grinnell. She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1916 and received her teaching certificate from the Iowa State Teachers College in 1918. She taught school for three years.

On Dec. 25, 1920, she was married to William Charles French in Grinnell. The couple lived in Newton and Marshalltown, then returned here in 1925.

Mrs. French was a member of the United Methodist Church, the church women's society and the Win One Sunday School Class. She was a 67-year member of the Rebekah Lodge, twice serving as noble grand; a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary, serving four times as president; and was a Gold Star Mother.

She is survived by her son Clyde of Grinnell; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968; three sons, Jerry Wayne in infancy, John Charles in 1945 and Guy William in 1982; her parents, three brothers in infancy; and three sisters, Allie Chedester, Frances Worden and Beatrice Rollins Renwick.