Pike Township Family Stories
FRANCIS AND GERTRUDE CODER
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 323
By Francis and Gertrude CoderFrancis L. Coder was born in Lake township, Muscatine county on 8 June 1919. His father, Harry M. Coder, was born in Lake township 7 June 1897 Francis’ grandparents came to Lake and ’76 townships in the 1800s; his grandfather was Lemuel G. Coder.
Francis graduated from Muscatine High school in 1937. He served in the U. S. Army from August 1942 until March 1944. He has farmed all his life. He was associated with the ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) for 31 years. He is a member of the Nichols Methodist church and belongs to the Elks, Moose and American Legion in Muscatine. He enjoys camping, fishing and traveling.
Francis has a brother, Eugene H. Coder, and two sisters, Phyllis Coder (Mrs. Robert Hummell) and Pauline Coder (Mrs. John Payne) who live in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gertrude Coder was born in Lake township, Muscatine county, the daughter of Ryle W. Simpson and Mary Unkel Simpson. At the age of six her family moved to Cedar county. She attended rural schools for eight years and graduated from Springdale High school. After attending Teachers college at Cedar Falls for one year, she began teaching in a rural school in Cedar county. Gertrude retired from the Muscatine Community school system after a 42 year career of teaching and counseling.
Gertrude Coder has a B. A. degree from Iowa Wesleyan college, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in elementary education. Her M. A. degree in guidance and counseling is from The University of Iowa.
Gertrude is a member of the Nichols Methodist church, Delta Kappa Gamma, American Association of University Women, a life member of the Iowa State Education Association and The University of Iowa Alumni Association and a member of the Muscatine Area Retired Teachers’ Association.
Francis Coder and Gertrude Coder purchased a farm south of Nichols from the Leonard Adams family and moved there in March of 1946.
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