Ten Hagen, Frieda M. (Gezel) 1919-2008

GEZEL, PORTER, TEN HAGEN, WEYERSE

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 15:08:46

Frieda Mae Gezel was the fifth of seven children born to George and Edith L. Porter Gezel. She was born on April 1, 1919 and grew up in Pella, Iowa where she attended the Pella Public Schools and Pella High School.

Frieda met Virgil H. Ten Hagen on a blind date and on March 3, 1937, they were united in marriage at Pella. To this union two daughters were born, Mary Lou and Georgia Ann.

In the early years of their marriage Frieda was a homemaker and also worked at the Pella Overall Factory and the Pella Coffee Shop. Later she followed her dreams of becoming self-employed owning two successful businesses, a drapery/seamstress business and also a cake decorating business. Many of the homes in Pella and the surrounding area are adorned with her beautiful drapes.

She also made many of the Dutch costumes worn at the Pella Tulip Time Festival. She was also known for making countless numbers of birthday and wedding cakes. Frieda also shared her talents by teaching an adult education class of Cake Decorating. She was admired for her craft works of all kinds, many of which were seen at the Pella Garden Club Open Houses at Christmas time.

During all this time Virgil was a skilled brick mason for over 40 years and had built many beautiful homes and churches. Frieda and Virgil were privileged to celebrate 59 years of married life together before he passed away on July 24, 1996, at the age of 85 years.

Frieda remained an active member of the First Baptist Church in Pella. She was also actively involved in several organizations; the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, in which she held many of the offices including Worthy Matron; the Pella Historical Society; and was a charter member of the Pella Garden Club where she earned the title of Master Flower & Horticulture Show Judge. Frieda loved her work with the Garden Club and traveled to many towns in Iowa to judge flower shows. She also helped with the Scholte Church Flower Show and the Van Willigan Home Open House. Frieda loved to garden, arrange flowers, fish and travel.

On Tuesday evening, December 23, 2008, she passed away at Parkridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where she had resided for the past two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She attained the age of 89 years, 8 months and 22 days.

Frieda is survived by her two daughters and their husbands: Mary Lou and Toby Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa, Georgia Ann and Dwight Roorda of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; 5 grandsons: Merle Thompson of Texas, Wesley Thompson and his wife, Alissa and Bryce Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa, Todd Roorda and his wife, Diane of Maple Grove, Minnesota and Tyler Roorda and his wife, Shawn of Runnells, Iowa; 17 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. Of her original family Frieda leaves her sister, Louise Sabin of Pella, Iowa.

Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; her parents, George and Edith Gezel; her parents-in-law, A.J. Cornelius (John) and Dora Weyerse Ten Hagen; three sisters: Mildred Gezel, Bernice Gezel, Emeline (Gezel) Vos; and two brothers: George Gezel and Ivan Gezel.

Frieda will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her and will be remembered for all her many talents and hard work.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery at Pella, Iowa

Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home