Roper, Eleanor (1924-2015)

ROPER, IVERSON, WHEAT, NORLAND, EMERSON, GEMAEHLICH

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/11/2015 at 16:59:25

Eleanor Roper
July 17, 1924 - April 18, 2015

Eleanor Ruth (Iverson) Roper passed away at the Good Samaritan Society Care Center in Forest City on Saturday, April 18, 2015.

Eleanor was born on July 17, 1924, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Andrew and Ruth (Wheat) Iverson. In 1942, she graduated from Marshalltown High School. While living in Marshalltown, she worked at the Ration Board and later for the Farm Bureau.

On April 27, 1947, she married Robert D. Roper at the United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. They, then, made their home near Lohrville. Eleanor worked as a bookkeeper at the Farnhamville Cooperative Elevator.

In 1953, the Ropers moved to Thompson where they ran the Oliver Dealership for five years. Eleanor was the bookkeeper. Later, she worked as a bookkeeper at Mechem Implement and as a checker at Don’s Food Center. An excellent farming partner, she worked alongside her husband in the fields.

After her children joined the grade school band, Eleanor would accompany them on the piano when they performed at solo contest, a practice which turned into her accompanying other band students for many years. At this time, she, also, began giving piano and organ lessons. Indeed, she and her students looked forward to their annual spring music recital.

Eleanor studied music at Drake University before her marriage. Moreover, she took college classes at Mankato State (Minnesota) and private piano lessons from a visiting professor. For many years, she belonged to the Mason City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Most recently, she had been practicing for a piano recital to present to Good Samaritan residents, her friends, and her family. She was scheduled to perform on April 11th.

An active member of the Thompson United Methodist Church, Eleanor served as the church organist for fifty years. Moreover, she played for various occasions at other churches as well as for many community events.

A life-long learner, Eleanor enjoyed music, reading, travel, genealogy, and dancing at the Surf Ballroom with her husband. She will be remembered for her kindness, her willingness to share her musical talents, and her love for her family.

Survivors include a son, Andy, and his wife, Diane, of Leland, and their children, Megan (Brandon) Norland, and their sons, Samuel and Benjamin, of Leland, and Colby, of Denver, Colorado; a daughter, Adele, of Waterloo; a foster daughter, Barbara (Stanley) Emerson, of Mason City, and their children, Derek, of San Diego, California, and Mindy (Matt Gemaehlich), of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and their son, Kellan.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2000.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 10:30 at the United Methodist Church, Thompson, with the Pastors Debra Devine and Wendy Johannesen presiding. Interment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery, Thompson. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Thompson, on Monday.

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