Glenda Faye (Thomsen) McINTIRE

MCINTIRE, THOMSEN, MONK, WISNIESKI, POHLMAN, RUNDQUIST

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:43

Glenda Faye McIntire
August 1, 1943 --- November 22, 2017

Glenda Faye (Thomsen) McIntire died November 22, 2017 in West Des Moines, Iowa due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Corinne Thomsen, daughter Constance Marie (still born), and brother-in-law Tom Monk. She is survived by her husband Robert McIntire of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter Jonna (Jeff) Wisnieski of Clive, Iowa; son Michael (Mary) McIntire of Ames, Iowa; sisters Ilene (Roger) Pohlman of Story City, Iowa and Vanita Thomsen of Elkader, Iowa; and six grandchildren: Allie, Morgan, Max, Adam, Jenna and Lauren.

Born August 1, 1943 at her family home near Royal, Nebraska to Clarence and Corinne (Rundquist) Thomsen, Glenda grew up in rural Nebraska on the family farm that she would one day play a role in managing as the corporation president. Hers was the quintessential mid-west childhood; looking for kittens in the hay mow, spending time with her mom and grandma at the family-owned general store, becoming much too attached to the livestock, and playing with her younger sisters. She recalled those days as very happy times. Glenda graduated from Neligh HS in 1960. At age 20, she graduated from Wayne State (August 1963) with a Business Education degree.

She taught at the high school in Mapleton, Iowa where she met Bob who was the vocal music teacher. Married June 26, 1964, Glenda and Bob started their family four years later with the birth of their daughter Jonna (Battle Creek, 1968) followed by a son Michael (Belmond, 1971). Glenda chose to focus on raising her young family and was a natural homemaker and devoted mother. When the kids were old enough, she began working at Iowa State University, first in the College of Agriculture, and then for the Office of University Relations.

Always smart and capable, Glenda pursued all of her endeavors – work, family and friends - with dedication and enthusiasm. She was active in the Nevada First United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and providing piano accompaniment for Bob’s many vocal solos. She was also an active member of her local sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and her chapter of PEO. She enjoyed baking, bike riding, music, traveling and anything social. She proudly watched her children’s and grandchildren’s events and looked forward to the holidays when family would gather together. She loved her life and all those in it.

Glenda radiated genuine warmth to the people fortunate enough to call her family or friend. She was generous with her laughter, her smile, her kindness and words of encouragement. She was quick with a hug and a kiss for a skinned knee or bruised ego, was a steady shoulder to lean on, and had a selfless willingness to listen but never to judge. She was simply the perfect role model for how we should all treat one another. She was adored by her children and grandchildren because she made them all feel special. Her strength came from her gentleness. Her compassion, devotion and thoughtfulness were what earned the respect of the people who knew her.

As Bob liked to say of her, “she was a pip”.

To the end, Alzheimer’s could not take away her inherent dignity, grace and good-nature. Those traits were to her core. Disease could take her mind and body and steal her time from us, but those essential qualities that made Glenda the person we loved and looked up to are things it could never touch.

Though taken much too soon, we were all made better by her being a part of our lives. For that, despite the loss and sadness, we can be grateful.

Glenda will be very warmly remembered and deeply missed.

We hope you can join us to celebrate her life!

A service will be held on December 19, at 6:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, IA.

Rasmusson-Bacon Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements.

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[lived in Belmond, Iowa where her husband was an elementary school principal]