French, Lola C. (Mrs. Charles P.) 1925-2017

FRENCH, ANDERSON, HEDBERG

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/19/2017 at 15:34:02

Sioux City, IA – Lola C. French, 91, of Sioux City, IA passed away Monday, January 9, 2017, at a local care center.

Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2017, at Crescent Park United Methodist Church (2826 Myrtle St.) with Pastor Scott Squires officiating.  Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery, Hawarden, IA.  Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Lola was born July 28, 1925, in Sioux City, IA.  She grew up in Sioux City with her parents, Emil and Lena (Anderson) Hedberg.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Covenant Church on 10th and Court.  She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City.

On April 2, 1949, Lola married the love of her life, Charles R. French of Hawarden, IA at the Covenant Church in Sioux City.  They moved to the farm in 1951.  To this union, two children were adopted, C. Gregory in July of 1956 and A. Christine in January of 1959.  Lola and Chuck and family lived on the farm until August of 1965.  They moved to Rochester, MN and lived there until 1974.  They then moved to Celina, OH until October of 1977, Rockford, IL until August of 1979 and their final move was to Sioux City.

As she was growing up, Lola enjoyed playing her accordion and at age 13 she had the chance to play with the band leader, Lawrence Welk.  At age 15, she was in bedrest for one year with heart problems.  During her younger years, she enjoyed two trips to Sweden and many trips to Minnesota with her parents to see relatives.

Lola went to Wayne College to receive her teacher’s certificate.  She started her teaching career in Sloan, IA and then Hawarden.  She took a few years off when her children were young.  She then taught in Rochester, MN, Celina, OH, Rockford, IL and Sioux City.  Lola received her Bachelors of Art degree in Vermillion, SD in 1965 and her Masters from Ball State in Munckie, ID in 1976.

Over the years, Lola and Chuck enjoyed many trips.  In addition, she enjoyed boating, camping, and wintering in North Fort Myers, FL in retirement.  Above all, she enjoyed her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Christi Bailey of Sgt. Bluff, IA; daughter-in-law, Beverley French of Lincoln, NE; five grandchildren: Patricia French (Jesse Tanderup), Angelica French, James Clary (Cheryl), Richard Clary and Adam Bailey; four great grandchildren: Xander French Dudley, Branson and Silas Hitchcock and Elizabeth Clary.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chuck on July 9, 2000; son, Greg on September 8, 2007; and her parents-in-law, Warren and Lucille French.

Source: Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel online obituary.