Marie (Van Dusseldorp) GIFFORD

VAN DUSSELDORP, GIFFORD, SEEBECK, GRIEMANN, GREIMANN, MIKESH, CLAYTOR, OLSON, GREMMER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/15/2016 at 22:01:56

June 23, 1917 ---- September 10, 2016

Marie Gifford died September 10, 2016 at the age of 99. She was a resident of the Belmond Rehabilitation Center. A private celebration of her life will be held with the family at a later time.

Marie was born June 23, 1917 in Britt to Jake and Kate Van Dusseldorp. She graduated from Britt High School where she received the citizenship award. She went on to teach in a one-room country school house south of Kanawha. Marie married Bill Gifford on July 18, 1936 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were married 73 years and participated in the July 4 parade in Belmond to mark their 70th wedding anniversary.  Bill and Marie had several businesses, including a cafe in Belmond on Highway 69, the Duck Inn cafe and filling station in Goodell, and a Montgomery Ward store in Belmond. They farmed for many years and worked for both the Belmond and Ventura school districts. When she was younger, Marie enjoyed playing the piano and organ at the church. She also played at family gatherings. A family favorite was The Fairy Wedding Waltz.

She was a member of the Belmond United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She was also a charter member of the Kensington Club. She was the epitome of grace, kindness and elegance. She was a beacon of light, and that light shined on everyone who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bill; infant daughter Judy; sister Anna Seebeck; brother Pete Van Dusseldorp; twin grandchildren; great-great-grandson Noah; and son-in-law Herb Griemann. She is survived by her daughters Wanda (Chuck) Mikesh, Coleen Greimann, and Vicki (Gary) Claytor; son Jon Gifford; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; sister Hyla (Epo) Gremmer; and brother-in-law Don Gifford (Louise Olson).

Belmond Independent --- Belmond, Iowa
September 15, 2016