Keizer, Amy L., Mrs. Gerben, 1896-1998

KEIZER, DARVILLE, COOLBAUGH

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/19/2010 at 07:14:09

CENTENARIAN AMY KEIZER DIES
By Milt Keizer

Former Hawarden resident Amy L. Keizer died in the early morning of July 13, at Sunrise Hill Care Center, Traer, IA. Her age was 101 years, 8 months and 17 days. Had she lived 18 months more, she would have seen three centuries...the 1800s, 1900s and 2000s. Fully aware of this being unlikely to occur, Amy Keizer told her daughter, Doris, in late June, "I do not believe I will see 102 years."

Born on her parents' farm near Seney, north of LeMars, she and her husband Gerben Keizer Jr., farmed her parents' place, then other rental farms, and came to Hawarden from the Killam farm (across from Fairview, SD) on Dec. 5, 1935 with their three sons and a daughter. Eugene had already finished Fairview High School and the other three, Leroy, Doris and Milton, graduated from Hawarden High School in 1937, 1946, and 1949.

While Gerben began his business, Northwest Iowa Feed & Seed Co. and later added the Hawarden Feed Mill, Amy Keizer enjoyed serving among "We girls" in Martha Circle and later on the Board of the First Methodist Church, where she found solace for the WWII loss of Leroy in the beautiful music of the organ she and Gerben donated to the church in their son's memory. She also was a skilled craftsman/artisan whose needlecraft, pottery, copper planters and etched serving trays delighted her children and her granddaughters especially treasure dresses made for them and their dolls on Hawarden visits.

Hawardenites who remember depression days and WWII may recall as well the printed cloth feed bags available in those years from the feed store. No one ever counted the hundreds of shirts, skirts and blouses, made from these sacks, that were worn by farm and city dwellers alike. A skilled seamstress, Amy Keizer not only outfitted her family in "bag togs" but also made handsome leather-buttoned corduroy jackets for Gerben and Milton.

Leaving Hawarden Oct. 22, 1957, the Keizers moved to Lake Wales, FL, where they welcomed many Hawarden visitors. Gerben passed away in December, 1970 at 78, but Amy continued to host many friends and relatives until retiring to Sunrise Hill in 1991. At Sunrise, she wove yarn baskets, and made slippers and booties for young and old, people or dolls, and her double-crochetted wash rags were so in demand she sold them to buy more materials, even when past 101.

A teacher for two years before marriage, Amy Keizer encouraged her children to read and seek education. She enjoyed helping many young Hawarden 1940-1950s brides select wedding themes, decoration colors and to plan their church receptions. She balanced being a homemaker, parent, church board member, and wife of a successful businessman who also was, as a Rotarian and Chamber of Commerce member (twice President), equally a vital cog in the smooth gearing of a thriving, small community...yesterday's Hawarden.

On Thursday, July 16, 1998 Amy Keizer returned to Hawarden and now rests forever at Grace Hill Cemetery.

Source: Hawarden Independent, July 30, 1998. The obituary includes a photo.

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AMY L. KEIZER

Amy L. Keizer, age 101, of Traer, formerly of Hawarden, died Monday, July 13, 1998 at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer after an extended illness.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawarden. Pastor Dean Shelly of the Hawarden United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden under the direction of the Overton Funeral Home.

Amy was born Oct. 26, 1896 near Le Mars, the daughter of Henry and Edith (Coolbaugh) Darville. She received her education in country school near Le Mars and later graduated from Le Mars High School in the class of 1915. Amy taught country school for a time, and on Nov. 29, 1917 she was married to Gerben Keizer at the home of her parents. They farmed near Le Mars and Sioux County until 1935 when they moved to Hawarden. In 1957 they moved to Lake Wales, Fla. Mr. Keizer died Dec. 23, 1970. In 1991 she moved to Traer where she made her home at the Sunrise Hill Care Center.

Mrs. Keizer was a member of the Hawarden United Methodist Church where she was a former board member and circle leader. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and crocheting.

Survivors include two sons and their wives, Eugene and Alice Keizer of Cornwall, Pa., and Milton and Joelle Keizer of Fall City, Wash.; a daughter and her husband, Doris and James Wilson of Traer; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, 2nd Lt. LeRoy W., who was killed in action during World War II; two brothers, Leslie and Harold Darville; a sister, Lila Weber; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Source: Sioux County Capital, July 16, 1998.

Sioux Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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