FLEMING, Edna M. (1912-1991)

FLEMING

Posted By: Von Stachon (email)
Date: 3/6/2007 at 12:56:07

OBITUARY

EDNA FLEMING

Memorial services for Edna . M. Fleming, 78, were held at I the First Congregational Church in Waterloo, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Private committal services took place at the Buckingham Cemetery in Traer at 12:30 p.m. on that day with the Rev. James Kvetko of Waterloo officiating.

Edna died Saturday, Jan. 19, at Covenant Medical Center on Kimball in Waterloo from a msssive heart attack. Casket bearers were Richard C. Fleming, Wi1liam R. Fleming, Joseph J. Fleming, James A. Fleming, Larry Karpisek and Dan Merchant.

Edna was born on a farm near Dinsdale to James T. and Annie (Frey) Fleming on July 12, 1912. She graduated from the Dinsdale Consolidated School in 1929. College education for Edna began at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, now the University of Northern Iowa. She earned a BA Degree there in 1942. Graduate work was done at UNI, Central Missouri State University, University of Alaska, and the University of Hawaii.

Her teaching career of 45 years began in 1930. She taught for 10 years in rural schools of both Tama and Benton Counties. This was followed by a year at the UNI Campus School in Cedar Falls and one year at Burlington, Iowa. Edna's next assignment lasted for 33 years in the Waterloo Public Schools. Edna retired from teaching in 1976. She and her two surviving sisters gave 99 years of teaching in Waterloo and 123 years of service totally in the education field.

Edna was recognized as Teacher of the Year in Waterloo in 1975. She belonged to the national, state, and local Education Associations and was a life member of the Iowa State Education Association. Other memberships were Delta Kappa Gamma, Honorary Women's Teacher Society, Kappa Delta Pi, National Honorary Education Fraternity, and Gamma Theta Upsilon, National Honorary Geography Society.

Her affiliation with the Congregational Church in Waterloo was one of great dedication. Extensive travel experiences strengthened her ability to educate her students in Social Studies, which was her specialized area in the teaching field.

Edna had long been a genealogical enthusiast. She traveled to the British Isles in 1977 to research the Fleming Family History. This was important to her as she could then complete a four century biographical story and record of The Flemings 1500-1987 which is a 500-page copyrighted book. She has also been active toward helping with historical and biographical accounts used in historical books in both Tama and Benton Counties. She was the author of Down Country Roads, published in 1989, a story of the Dinsdale School horsedrawn school bus that has been restored and is presently in the Historical Society Museum in Cedar Falls.

Her most recent efforts were spent compiling accounts of the early history of Dinsdale in preparation for the Dinsdale Centennial Celebration which is planned for August of this year. Much has been done toward this cause: however, this project was not completed.

Miss Fleming enjoyed her family, church, education, travel, crafts, gardening, and writing historical materials. Edna's interest in history was also evident in her membership in both the Tama County Historical Society, and the Cedar Falls Historical Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Ralph W. Fleming of La Porte City, and a nephew, baby John L. Fleming of Garrison.

Edna is survived by two sisters, Laura M. Fleming and Ida E. Fleming of Waterloo, two brothers, Clark O. Fleming of Osage, and James W. Fleming of Garrison, three sisters-in-law, two nieces, four nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Tama Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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