Caldwell, Sara K. (Schakel) 1920-2009

SCHAKEL, PAARDEKOOPER, CALDWELL, DONALDSON

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/13/2010 at 15:08:11

Sara Kathleen Schakel was born on September 10, 1920, at Pella, Iowa, the daughter of Ross and Katheryn Paardekooper Schakel.

She was educated in the Pella Public Schools and graduated from Pella High School with the Class of 1938. Sara enrolled at Central College and because of financial issues could not live on campus. She graduated with an English Major from Central College in 1942, an institution that remained very dear to her heart and she was a lifelong, dedicated representative for Central.

On June 20, 1942, she was united in marriage with Clarence Burton Caldwell at San Antonio, Texas. Her husband, known as Babe, who had interrupted his studies at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana during World War II, was serving with the Army Air Corps at Kelly Field in San Antonio at the time. Babe served as a command pilot of a B-24 bomber squadron in the 15th Air Force and completed 50 missions in the North African and European campaigns.

In 1950 Sara and Babe returned to her home state of Iowa and to this union five children were born: the first being a daughter, Toni Gayle and the next four were sons: Timothy Wayne, Joel Burton, Scott Donaldson and Kirk Martin. Babe enrolled at Drake University Pharmacy College in Des Moines, Iowa and following his graduation in 1950 the family lived in Pella. He became a partner with Martin Paardekooper in the Ideal Pharmacy Store and Sara was employed as a Social Worker in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Sara was devoted to raising her family of four sons and in 1964 began teaching school. She taught 8th grade History and Social Studies for nearly 20 years. She then became a substitute teacher and was a literacy army volunteer until the year 2006. Sara loved educating children. Sara served with the Iowa Pharmaceutical Auxiliary, was on the nominating board for the Iowa Judicial Court, served on the Pella Day Care Board, the Scholte House Board, and Carnegie-Viersen Public Library Board, was a member of TTT, AAUW and the Pella Historical Society, and was a declared Democrat.

She was a faithful member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella where she served as an Elder.

On Tuesday morning, July 21, 2009, she passed away at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 88 years.

Sara is survived by her four sons and their families: Tim W. Caldwell of Quincy, Illinois and his daughter, Bridget; Joel B. Caldwell and his wife, Jan of Urbandale, Iowa and his daughter, Megan and her husband, Ryan Hunt and a step-son, Christopher Lehnertz; Scott D. Caldwell and his wife, Jeri of Urbandale, Iowa and his son, Matthew, step-sons: Jeff Ostrander and his wife, Peggy, Joel Ostrander and his wife, Shelby and step-daughter, Julie Ostrander; Kirk M. Caldwell and his partner, Alan Pearman and his children, Michol Mackenzie and Gregory Pearman of Sacramento, California; and a sister-in-law, Lorna (Max) Schakel of Pella, Iowa.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband, C. B. Caldwell, on December 25, 1984 at the age of 65 years; her daughter, Toni, who died in 1945 at the age of 2 years; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Caldwell, who died in infancy in 1976; her parents, Ross and Katheryn Schakel; her two brothers: Max Schakel and Wayne Schakel and his wife, Pat; and her parents-in-law, Albert and Eunice Donaldson Caldwell.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery

Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home