Hildegarde Margaret (Gruis) PALS

GRUIS, PALS, BRANER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

September 23, 1921 ---- April 2, 2018

Hildegarde Margaret (Gruis) Pals passed away April 2, 2018, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, Iowa. She was born September 23, 1921, at the farm home of her parents, Herman B. and Harmke (Braner) Gruis. She attended Meservey School, graduating from high school in 1938 as valedictorian of her class. She completed Catechism at Meservey Reformed Church that same year. She was baptized and attended Sunday School at Immanuel Reformed Church, rural Belmond. At an early age she made her confession of faith and became a member of Immanuel. She was active in her church playing the pipe organ and piano, and singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and Catechism. She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa for one year, getting her teacher's certificate. She taught rural schools for 4 years in Franklin and Wright Counties. On December 22, 1944, she was married to Ormal Pals at the home of her parents. In April of 1945, Ormal was drafted into the Navy and was sent to the west coast. In June, Hildegarde joined him, and they lived one year at Bremerton, WA. While there she was employed by the U.S. Naval Hospital. Ormal was discharged in 1946, so they returned to Iowa, and farmed south of Meservey. Hildegarde enjoyed helping out on the farm and raising a family. Because of her love for teaching, she did a lot of substitute teaching from 1960-1975. She also enjoyed bowling, golfing, and playing bridge. She was a longtime member of Meservey Federated Women's Club. She was very active in the Women's Guild at Immanuel and was the Co-Chairperson for Immanuel's Centennial in 1984. She and Ormal enjoyed spending winters in Arizona for 25 years. She loved family gatherings, attending her grandchildren's activities, and playing with the 3 great grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Vaughn (Jane) Pals, of Clear Lake, Iowa, daughter, Veralyn Pals of Chadron, Nebraska. Two grandsons: Brandon (Liming) of Ames and Jonathan Pals of Woodbury, MN. Three great grandchildren: Daniel Pals, Ivory Pals, and Jessica Pals. She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Harmke Pals, husband Ormal Pals, 2011; brother Harvey Gruis, 1968, and sisters, Florence Pals, 1989, and Marjorie Gruis, 2018.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Immanuel Reformed Church east of Belmond. The Reverend David Dekuiper will be officiating. Burial will be in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st Street S.E., Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to the services at church Saturday. Those wishing to ex[press their sympathies through a card or memorial in Hildegarde's memory may wish to consider the Iowa Specialty Hospital Foundation, Immanuel Reformed Church-Belmond, Talbot Belmond Public Library, to the family, or to the donor's choice. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=4740456&fh_id=14473