Kossuth County

 
Rita Wingert

 

 

 

Wesley Girl Is Fourth to Join WAVES

Wesley -- Wesley's 4th girl to join the WAVES, Lavon Gerdes left Thursday night for Chicago, thence to Northampton, Mass., to report for boot training before entering Smith college for her officer's training.

Miss Gerdes is the oldest daughter of Postmaster Hazel Gerdes and Ihno A. Gerdes of Wesley. She was graduated from the Minnesota University at Minneapolis in psychology and took her initial steps to join the WAVES on her 20th birthday, June 5, 1943. She was an outstanding student all 4 years of her college work.

Upon her graduation as an officer in the WAVES she will be commissioned an ensign.

The other 3 girls to join the WAVES from this town are Miss Gertrude Otis, Miss Rita Wingert and Miss Alvina Oppedal.

Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, August 28, 1943 (photo included)