Stella Glew

STELLA GLEW

Slater

Stella Marie (Thorson) Glew passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was 91 years old.

Stella Marie Glew was born June 3, 1925, to Eric and Alice (Nelson) Thorson, south of Huxley in Lincoln Township, Polk County, Iowa. She graduated from Cambridge High School on May 13, 1943, and Iowa State Teachers College on May 25, 1946.

She married Lawrence Glew on Sept. 25, 1949, and moved to the family farm in Delhi. She started her teaching career with Maquoketa Valley School, teaching third and fourth grade. When it was required that teachers have a four-year degree, Stella commuted in the evenings to Upper Iowa University in Fayette to meet that requirement. Lawrence and Stella divorced in 1974. Stella and her daughter, Kris, moved back to Slater, where Stella taught at Ballard, retiring in 1990.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was involved with various church groups and activities. Stella also enjoyed her Birthday Club meetings and was a proud member of the Women's Auxiliary. One of her favorite times of year was working the local elections. Stella's all-time favorite hobby was reading books. She was involved with Friends of Slater Library and worked on improving the book selections at the library. Her favorite author was Louis L'Amour. Who knew she loved Westerns?!

Stella is survived by four daughters, Nancy (Bob) Erickson of Miltona, Minn., Carol (Harold) Waters of New Albin, Marlene (Steve) Pasker of Robins and Kris (Jerry) Hull of Slater; 11 beloved grandchildren, Jason (Sarah) Hein, Jeremy Hein, Chad (Kim) Waters, Karrie (Dennis) Peterson, Ann Waters, Lisa (Bill) Zayudis, Renee (Bret) Buchanan, Carla (Tristan) Kendall, Janette Pasker, Brett Hull and Bryce Hull; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Also surviving are her two sisters, Delores (Truman) Lewis of Urbandale and Adelia (Greg) Heitland of Des Moines; her two brothers, Eric (Marlene) Thorson of Irvine, Calif., and Owen (Karen) Thorson of Maquoketa; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Bonnie Lou.

Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 3, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Slater. Burial was in Cambridge Municipal Cemetery. Soderstrum Funeral Home in Slater is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences and photos may be shared at www.soderstrumadams.com.