Poldberg, Myrna Gwen (Gearhart) (1930 - 2025)

POLDBERG, BEATTY, MADSEN, TEEGERSTROM, CHRISTOFFERSEN, MCDERMOTT, GEARHART, KEMP

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 6/20/2025 at 14:04:30

Name of deceased: Myrna Gwen Poldberg (nee Gearhart)

Aged: 95 yrs, 29 days

Residence: Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Born: April 16, 1930; rural Shelby County, IA

Died: May 15, 2025; Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Tuesday, May 20, 2025; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA; burial was in the church cemetery

Survived by: Children, Colleen (spouse, Lindsay) Beatty of Manilla, IA, Bruce (spouse, Calla) Poldberg of Kimballton, IA, Kelly Poldberg of Harlan, IA and Angie (spouse, Todd) Madsen of Harlan, IA; grandchildren, Aaron Poldberg, Neil (spouse, Stephanie) Poldberg, Heather Beatty, Seth (spouse, Laura) Poldberg, Jessica Poldberg, Amelia (spouse, Nolan) Teegerstrom, Hannah (spouse, Eric) Christoffersen and Lydia Madsen; 24 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley McDermott of Elk Horn, IA; sister-in-law, Shirley Gearhart of Montana; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Ellis and Bonnie Blanche (nee Kemp) Gearhart; husband, Dale Poldberg (deceased May 16, 2005); great-granddaughter, Freya Jo Christoffersen

Education: Myrna began her education at Center #7, also known as Windy Knoll, a country school near Harlan, IA. She graduated from Harlan High School, Class of 1948, and went on to earn a 2-year teaching certificate through Normal Training, also taken at Harlan High School.

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA; member, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, IA; Myrna was active in the Women’s Circle there. She was also a Sunday school and Bible school teacher.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Dale Poldberg; June 14, 1950; at the First United Methodist Church Parsonage, Harlan, IA

Employment: After completing her teaching certificate, Myrna began her teaching career in the very place where her own education had started, Center #7 country schoolhouse. When her children came along, she was a stay-at-home mom. In 1973, she returned to the workforce as a cook at the Harlan School system and eventually served as head cook for 6 years. She retired in 1995.

Hobbies/Interests: Participated in couple’s card clubs and enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether walking or tending to her garden and flower beds. Throughout her life, Myrna shared her time and talents as a 4-H leader and had a gift for hospitality, loving to visit with friends and neighbors. Myrna especially treasured time spent with her grandchildren, passing on her cooking and baking skills to the next generation.

Sources: kjan.com; heartlandfunerals.net