Averil Arlene BLEWETT

BLEWETT, HANSEN, LARSON, STEPHENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/29/2006 at 19:15:11

AVERIL ARLENE BLEWETT

GOLDFIELD - Averil Arlene Blewett, the daughter and only child of Archie and Augusta (Hansen) Blewett, was born June 13, 1912, at Goldfield, Iowa. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth, graduating from Goldfield High School in 1931. The following two years she attended Junior College in Eagle Grove. During the Depression of 1933, Averil was unable to continue onto college and obtained a job as a telephone operator, earning $.10/hour, and worked for the next five years. She then enrolled in college in the fall of 1938 and graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College in June of 1940. Averil was inducted into two National Honorary Organizations: Pi Omega Pi and Kappa Delta Pi. In the fall of 1940, Averil began her teaching career in the Quimby Consolidated School in Cherokee County, Iowa: teaching classes in Typing, Shorthand, business law and English. In the fall of 1942, she moved to Toledo High School in Tama County, where she stayed for two years. After a year off, she continued her teaching at Renwick, in Humboldt County, and taught there for eight years. In 1953, She decided to move onto the Rolfe School and stayed there until her retirement in 1974. In addition to her teaching classes, she served as sponsor and advisor for high school yearbooks. During her 33 years of teaching, Averil earned graduated credits from the University of Minnesota, Drake University and the University of Northern Iowa. Averil was baptized in the Christian Church and served as church pianist, beginning her sophomore year of High School. Following the close of that church, she has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield since 1976. Averil served as church treasurer, organist and Sunday School teacher. She was an officer in circle and in the Women’s Society. In addition to church affairs, she belonged to a Federated Women’s Club, Alpha Beta Sorority, Bay view Club, Evergreen Club, the American Legion Auxiliary, the local and county Historical Society, the Betterment Council, a neighborhood Koffee Klatch, a card foursome and the Senior Citizens group. When she had free time, Averil enjoyed reading, sewing (Making many of her own clothes) handcrafts, bus trips and playing the organ. She also collected souvenirs, from spoons to dishes and antiques. Life was sometimes tiring, but never dull.

Averil is survived by a cousin, Ronald Larson of Burnsville, Minn.; Lifetime, family friends, the Stephens family of Goldfield and many other friends. Averil passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2003, at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services were Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery at Goldfield. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.

http://www.rolfealumni.com/memorial/blewett_averil.htm