Gesina Wilhelmina Leontine (Schutter) MUNSON

MUNSON, SCHUTTER, HEETLAND

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/30/2014 at 13:37:27

October 22, 1911 ---- November 13, 2014

Funeral services for Gesina Wilhelmina Munson were held Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at the Harris Funeral Home Chapel in West Bend, with burial following in the West Bend Cemetery. She died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at the West Bend Care Center.

Gesina Wilhelmina Leontine (Schutter) Munson was born Oct. 22, 1911, to Jerry and Minnie (Heetland) Schutter at Riceville, where she was baptized. As an infant, she moved with her parents to West Bend, where she was confirmed in the First United Presbyterian Church. In 1930, Gesina graduated from the West Bend High School. In May 1934, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. She taught upper elementary English and Social Studies at Halfa-Armstong, Goldfield and Wesley.

Gesina was united in marriage with Martin Clifford Munson April 23, 1938, at the Methodist parsonage in Forest City. The couple lived in Wesley before moving to West Bend, and they were blessed with four children. Gesina taught Sunday School at the United Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir, was the church pianist, Clerk of Session, and held offices in the United Presbyterian Women and Rodman Mariners. In May of 1955, she accompanied Cliff to the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church held in Los Angeles, Calif. When the Presbyterian Church in West Bend closed in 1972, she transferred her membership to the United Methodist Church. She attended worship, United Methodist Women and Bible Studies as long as her health allowed. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie and Girl Scout leader and Band Mother for all four of her children, taught piano lessons and invited at least one sixth grade class into her home to watch Herb Hakes' Iowa History lessons broadcast on TV from Ames. She was a member of the Ladies Social Literary Club for 49 years, District officer of Republican Women, UNICEF Chairwoman for over 21 years, charter member of the West Bend Historical Society, pianist and officer in the Legion Auxiliary, a volunteer in the Lauback Literacy program and volunteer pianist at the West Bend Care Center for 25 years. She and Cliff attended the Community Concert series in Algona for many years.

In the late 1960s, Gesina renewed her teaching certificate at Mankato State College and earned the Reading Endorsement from U.S.D., Vermillion, S.D. She did substitute teaching and taught remedial Reading in West Bend. Gesina was an avid reader and enjoyed going for walks. She loved traveling to visit family and historical places.

Survivors include her sons Jerry of Silverdale, Wash.; Dr. Paul (Janet) of Manotick, Ontario; and daughter Joyce of West Bend; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; son, Philip; daughter-in-law, Jeanie; her parents and brothers: Dr. John, David and Richard Schutter. Harris Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. .

Algona Upper Des Moines -- Algona, Iowa
November 20, 2014

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[former teacher in Goldfield, Iowa]