Valeria Gladys (Kauffman) EDDY

EDDY, KAUFFMAN, LEE, BEYERINK, HYLAND, CLOUSER, MOHR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/7/2009 at 11:09:39

Coon Rapids Enterprise, Iowa
March 26, 2009

Funeral services for Valeria Eddy of Coon Rapids will be Thursday, March 26 (today) at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Bayard with Pastor Kathy Van Gundy officiating. Casket Bearers will be Pat Hyland, Chris Eddy, Chris Mohr, Bryan Beyerink, Mark Clouser and Zack Hyland. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Ben Hyland, Nick Hyland, Bernard Bellcock and Andy Ramaekers. Interment will be in Highland Township Cemetery, near Bayard.

Valeria Gladys Eddy, only daughter of Frank and Pluma (Lee) Kauffman, was born on September 25, 1918 at her Grandpa and Grandma Lee’s home in Coon Rapids. She was raised and went to school in the Coon Rapids Schools and graduated in 1936. Valeria participated in speech, music and basketball. Her particular loves were speech and music, beginning piano lessons at age 4 from Sister Honorine and then from the legendary Fred Bell. After completing high school and normal training classes, she taught country school in rural Manning, to save money to go to business school and college. Valeria eventually went to college at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, graduating with a 2 year teaching degree. She taught in the Belmond Schools and also got a certificate as a secretary and stenographer from Gates Business School in Waterloo. Valeria met and dated Earl Eddy while attending both schools. They were married in Lancaster, Missouri on September 19, 1941. She eventually joined Earl in California where he was stationed at Victorville Air Force Base, in Victorville, California, where she was secretary for the colonel of the base. During that time, a daughter, Dianne, was born. In 1948, Earl and Valeria moved back to Iowa and bought their farm 3 miles south of Bayard. Shortly thereafter, Dennis joined the family. She worked for the Coon Rapids School District in the 50’s and later in the 60’s as a bookkeeper to Dr. Richard Shirbroun besides being a fulltime mother, wife and housekeeper. Valeria belonged to the United Methodist Women in Bayard receiving her lifetime membership pin in 1964. She was active in her church playing for services and holding office as Sunday school secretary and treasurer for many years. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Bayard until it was disbanded. After Earl’s passing in 1996, she became very active in the Congregate Meal Site at Coon Rapids where she played the song of blessing each day, even on her 90th birthday. Valeria loved entertaining family and friends and watching everyone devour her good cooking. She and Earl were always ready for a good game of pinochle or pitch. Valeria was happiest having her grandchildren and great grandchildren fill her house with love and laughter. She died unexpectedly at the Thomas Rest Haven on Sunday, March 22.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl and her parents. Left to mourn her are her daughter Dianne Beyerink of Coon Rapids; son Dennis Eddy and wife Sherry of Bayard; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Laurie and husband Pat Hyland and their children Zack, Ben, Nick and Kate; Angela and husband Mark Clouser and their daughters Grace and Emily; Chris Eddy and wife Robin and their daughter Amelia; Bryan Beyerink; Karen and husband Chris Mohr and their children Madison and Tyler; many other relatives and friends.