Geadelmann, Leora Anna 'Orky' Geadelmann

Leora Anna “Orky” Geadelmann, 87, of Tipton, died on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, in her home. The oldest of seven children of Frank and Ida (Eggert) Ball, Leora was born on Oct. 15, 1922, in Lowden, Iowa. She was a graduate of Lowden High School. On July 5, 1947, she married Otis Geadelmann in Bennett, Iowa. He preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 2003.

She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Women of the Moose. She worked part-time for the Tipton Bakery for many years, and also worked as a dental assistant, home care aide and as a caterer. She was widely known and appreciated for her homemade pickles, pies and cookies. Her life centered on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed a big garden.

Her surviving family includes two daughters, Dr. Patricia Geadelmann and Donna Hall, both of Cedar Falls; one son, Charles (Rhonda) Geadelmann of Edina, Minn.; one sister, Frances (Marvin) Ford of Tipton; three brothers, Ralph (Rosemary) Ball of Nevada, William (Pauline) Ball of Davenport, Fla., Dale (Rosie) Ball of Nevada; four grandchildren, Monica (Lance) Hall-Sneed of Spring Lake, N.C., Jenny Hall of Cedar Falls, Levi (Kari) Geadelmann of Edina, Minn., Lucas Geadelmann of Edina, Minn.; three great-grandchildren, Andrew and Dylan Sneed of Spring Lake, N.C., William Geadelmann of Edina, Minn.

Along with her husband and parents, Leora was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy (Arnold) Knipfel of Ackley; her brother, Frank (Elsie) Ball of Rushville, Ill., and her son-in-law, Jon (Donna) Hall of Cedar Falls.

A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. The family will greet guests after the service. Private family burial of Leora's cremains will take place at the Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Leora's family has asked that memorials may be directed to either the Friends of the Tipton Public Library or the Tipton Community School Foundation.