Gehrls, Valora Weinbeck

Valora Weinbeck Gehrls died Aug. 19, 2012. She was born March 23, 1914, in Clinton, Iowa, to Claus and Hannah (Jurgenson) Weinbeck. Valora married Harry Gehrls on April 20, 1942. After their marriage, she continued to live in Clinton and work for Curtis Co. and did not move to Lowden until 1946, after Harry was discharged from the United States Army. They purchased the farm north of the Lowden water tower from Harry's father. They operated that farm until the 1970s. The land was then rented until the farm was sold in 2009.

Valora was an active member of Zion United Church of Christ serving in various capacities in the circles and guilds, as well as a volunteer church secretary. She and Harry served as the church treasurer for many years. She also was a member of the Legion auxiliary and an active volunteer in the school system while her children were in school.

In 1964, Valora went to work for Hawkeye Chemical in Clinton. A few years later she started working at the American Trust and Savings Bank in Lowden. She retired in 1976. After her retirement, she volunteered at the Lowden Clinic as a secretary and bookkeeper for a period of time. Many years after leaving her various positions her employers still described her as “the best secretary they ever had.”

Besides working outside the home, she and Harry always had a large garden and much of her time was spent canning, freezing, cooking and baking. Her son-in-law said she made the best pies he's ever eaten. Valora wrote in her journal for over 40 years chronicling the day's events, weather conditions, her thoughts on many subjects including newspaper articles and obituaries she wished to save. She also spent her retirement making quilts for her church. Everything she did was a labor of love.

In 1994, Valora was honored as Lowden's senior citizen of the year, one of her proudest distinctions.

She moved from her home in Lowden to the Clarence Nursing Home in the spring of 2008, where she received excellent care and had resided ever since. Even though she had the frustration of losing her sight she was always cheerful and good natured.

Valora is survived by her son, Bruce and his wife, Barbara of Chandler, Ariz.; her daughter, Susan and husband Richard Ritterpusch of Casselberry, Fla.; her granddaughter, Christine of Maitland, Fla.; a great-granddaughter, Alexis; one sister, Betty June Checkal and husband Alan of Clinton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry in 2001; grandson, Jonathan (J.T.) in 1991; her parents and four sisters, Muriel, Mardelle, Eleanor and Joan.

A celebration of life will be held at Zion United Church of Christ, 402 Main St., Lowden, Iowa, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. The family will receive guests one hour before the service. Interment will follow at the Lowden Cemetery. All are invited to a reception in the church's fellowship hall.

Memorial donations may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ memorial fund, Cedar County Meals on Wheels, Lowden Public Library, Camp Courageous or Iowa Department for the Blind.

Iowa Cremation has been assisting the family during this process.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 29, 2012.