EDITH ANNA SCHOESSLER

Edith Anna Schoessler was born November 8, 1911, five miles southeast of Westside, Iowa, to William and Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Witt) Kracht. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. John's Evangelical Church.

Edith, a lifelong avid reader, attended rural elementary school and graduated from Westside High School. On Christmas Day in 1930 she entered into a lifelong marriage to Arthur Conrad Schoessler. They built their home together on the family farm, celebrating 70 years of marriage and raising three sons, Conrad "Connie," Clayton and Paul. Edith took great joy in raising her family and shared many fond times with her daughters-in-law, Deanna (Connie), Neva (Clayton) and Rose Marie (Paul).

She enjoyed the company of her sisters-in-law, Rowene and Ruthanna; her ten grandchildren: Mary (Mark); Rolly; Julie (Peter); Carla (Bryan); Rachelle (Kevin); Calvin (Angela); Steven; Mark; Greg (Lisa); Paulette (Michael); and three step-grandsons: Jay, Matt and Steven. Edith had twelve great-grandchildren: Christopher, Patrick, Alyssa, Jacob, Jackson, Isaac, Nathan, Anna, Brody, Kathleen, Hallie and Laura.

A quiet and kind woman, Edith created years of fond memories for her family, hosting holiday get-togethers, birthday and wedding celebrations, passing along favorite recipes, values, stories, and vacation memories from trips to the family cabin in Okoboji, Iowa. During her lifetime she lived in four different homes, most recently at the Swan House in Carroll, Iowa.

Edith was a long-term library board member and a founding member of the new Westside Library building. She was an active member of the United Church of Christ, Eastern Star, Fortnightly Club, Busy Thimbles and numerous other community activities throughout her life. A skilled seamstress, quilter and knitter, she left beautiful handcrafted keepsakes and treasures to pass down to future generations.

Edith always talked about what a great, blessed life she had and how many changes she had seen throughout her 97 years, from riding horse and buggy and no electricity to space age travel and computers. She painted ceramics, danced many a big-band and polka, loved her shopping trips to Omaha and Sioux City when they sold cattle, and her vacations to New York and Hawaii. In her later years, she enjoyed receiving books from the library, working on puzzles, and card playing.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur; four sisters: Stella, who died at age eight; Loretta; Gladys; Evelyn; her brother, Clarence; and her daughter-in-law, Rosalie.

Funeral services were held at 10:30, Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the United Church of Westside in Westside, Iowa. Pastor Richard Francis officiated the services and graveside rites held at Westside Cemetery. Organist Janine Kock provided accompaniment for congregational hymn, "How Great Thou Art" and for "On Eagle's Wings" by soloist Sandi Agan. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Christopher Schoessler, Patrick Schoessler, Calvin Schoessler, Greg Schoessler, Steven Schoessler, Jacob Schoessler, Rolly Schoessler and Mark Schoessler. Serving as pallbearers were Paulette Spriggs, Mary Haefner, Julie Stodolak, Rachelle Schoessler Lynn, Alyssa Haefner and Carla Grayson.A prayer service was held at 7 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2009, at the Huebner Funeral Home in Westside. The family invited everyone to return to the church and join them in fellowship and lunch served by the United Church Women. The Huebner Funeral Home of Westside was in charge of arrangements.