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GLORIA BANDSTRA Obituary

Gloria J. Bandstra, 72, of Des Moines died Sunday, September 1, 2013 at Wesley Acres Retirement Community after courageously enduring many years of recurring illness. Her family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, September 6 at Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Rd., Des Moines. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 7 at Westover Chapel. Cremation has taken place. Gloria was born on February 14, 1941 in Taintor, IA to the late Paul and Mildred (Verhey) Bandstra. She was a 1959 graduate of Pella Christian High School and a 1963 graduate of Calvin College with a BA in Education. She taught for 40 years, most of that time in Wyandotte High School of Kansas City, KS and Chick Elementary School of Kansas City, MO. She moved to Des Moines in June. Gloria loved reading and theater. She enjoyed travel and was a lifelong Democrat. Gloria is survived by her six siblings, John (Sheila) Bandstra of Iowa, Andy (Connie) Bandstra of Arizona, Jeanne (Allen) Wells of Park Ridge, IL, George (Mary Lou) Bandstra of Clive, Mary (Mark) DeJong and Stuart (Karen) Bandstra all of Pella as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Memorial contributions may be directed to WesleyLife Hospice 5508 NW 88th St Johnston, IA 50131. Arrangements by Iles Funeral Homes - Westover Chapel www.IlesCares.com

Published by Kansas City Star on Sep. 4, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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This is teacher's appreciation week and I thought of you, Ms. Gloria J. Bandstra. You were a great teacher, role model, and inspiration. I am a better person because of you, my wonderful teacher. Ametta L. Reaves, Class of 1983 Wyandotte High School. A graduate of KU 1988 and currently working for Early/Head Start programs.

Ametta Reaves

May 8, 2018

Ms. Bandstra always went the extra mile for her students. I can say I am a Debate teacher today because she worked so tirelessly with my brother in the program at Wyandotte High School. I took Debate because my brother did, and I discovered a passion that led to my career. In the years since my brother graduated, I have encountered Gloria many times. She was always entirely dedicated to her students and her causes. Such a legacy she has left! Definitely the kind of teacher I strive to be.

Rosanne Lawler

November 10, 2013

Gloria was my family's babysitter while at Calvin...four little girls aged 9 and under, one with special needs. We loved her so much and she was a Godsend to my mom. We had infrequent but loving visits over the years, and did know she had health issues. Mom, Nancy Massingham and my sisters are grateful to have learned that she had died, as we have wondered about her recently, and not had return communications. She has left an amazing legacy of love and laughter on so many fronts, certainly with the Massingham family.

Louise Massingham Edison

September 15, 2013

Gloria was a lovely and loyal fan at The Living Room Theatre, we were sad to see her move away, and of course more sad to see her pass. She was an inspiration for enjoying life, especially in the arts.

Shawnna Journagan

September 10, 2013

Ms. Bandstra was truly an inspirational teacher and friend. I learned a lot of iife lessons from her. May the LORD hold you in his loving arms. RIP

Melissa Eastham

September 9, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

John & Joanne DeJong

September 6, 2013

Ms. Bandstra was my 11th grade English teacher at Wyandotte. I enjoyed going to her class everyday. She encouraged us and expected nothing but our best. She will be missed.
WHS c/o 1994.

Tamara Cruitt-Dupree

September 6, 2013

Ms. Bandstra was my English teacher as well as my debate instructor...she was one of my favorites when I went to Wyandotte. She will truly be missed and always remembered. God bless and Godspeed Ms Bandstra.
Carl Johnson
Wyandotte High Class of 1983

Carl F. Johnson

September 6, 2013

We met in the volunteer booth of Heart of America Shakespeare Festival & discovered we also shared being "Dots" (Wyandotte Co. KS). I always enjoyed working & visiting with Gloria.

Alan Tilson

September 5, 2013

Wonderful, warm, loving, whip smart, passionate and loyal Gloria! She was a great friend and lover of the arts and theatre. All of us at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival miss her anew with word of her passing. We hold Gloria in our hearts and are grateful for the valuable time she gave us and all the joy we shared together. Gloria had the most wonderful hearty laugh! I miss it. Love to all who will miss her along with me.

Sidonie Garrett

September 5, 2013

Love you Gloria...thanks for your company and all the kind words. You have been missed for some time.

David

September 5, 2013

She was a true light to the world. She along with her beaming smile will be greatly missed.

Marilyn Lynch

September 5, 2013

I adored Gloria. Her smiling face and incredibly generous demeanor were always a gift to see after a show. She supported so many of us as artists in KC, and I will forever be grateful to have met her.
She truly was a shining light. I will miss seeing her after shows, waiting to wrap me into one of her great hugs.
My condolences to her family and close friends.

Katie Gilchrist

September 5, 2013

Gloria was a great person who worked tirelessly for her students, and also for theater. Right up to the end she was working as a volunteer for the large theater in Des Moines. I always felt graced just to be in her presence.--Frank Higgins

September 5, 2013

Gloria was an excellent teacher at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Her classroom was next door to mine and we interacted all the time. She was demanding and creative in encouraging her students to aspire to excellence. Gloria was also a good friend. She gave encouragement and advice to my son regarding his writing, and she would visit my daughter when she was ill in the hospital. A very supportive person! I will miss her wonderful spirit, her creative wit, and her warm friendship.

Virginia Kirkwood

September 5, 2013

She will be missed.... What a great teacher and person she was..RIP!

Willie Vaughn

September 5, 2013

We are very sorry for your loss, John. Did not know you had so many siblings.
God bless.

David and Mona Abrahamson

September 4, 2013

Ms. Bandstra was my English teacher my senior year of high school. I honestly don't think I would have made it through college if she hadn't been my teacher. She always had such high expectations for us without making us feel like she was there to "save" poor, urban children. I owe her a lot and at least a part of her legacy will live on in ME.

Cynthia Moore-Hollinshed

September 4, 2013

Mark and Mary:
So hard to see a loved one pass. My throughts and prayers are with you

Lois & Gary Boeyink

September 4, 2013

Gloria was a passionate teacher and great lover of literature and people. She kept spreading her love of books until the end, never letting her physical problems get in the way. I will remember our evenings at Shakespeare in the Park when we all got front row seats as her guest, trips to the Nelson, and luncheons at the Kansas City, Mo., Library for the honorees of the Thorpe Menn Award as well as all the years we taught together at Wyandotte. It was hard to ever see her as sick as she never allowed us to view her that way. She also showed great compassion to me when my husband had cancer and passed away two years ago. A very special lady, she will be long remembered.

Jane Stock

September 4, 2013

She will be greatly missed by me and many other Wesley Acres team members. So sorry for your loss!

michelle Heater

September 4, 2013

I will always thank God for giving us great teachers like Ms. Bandstra! -Leslie, Wyandotte High School Class of 1985

September 4, 2013

Gloria will be missed. She was an awesome teacher at Wyandotte High & still has influence on those students whom she taught. Thank you for sharing her with the students she loved.

-Sean Fuller Wyandotte class of '89.

September 4, 2013

May the God of comfort, comfort you and your family.

Pam Ewing

September 4, 2013

Ms. Gloria J. Bandstra was a gifted and talented educator who inspired many. As a former teaching colleague, I was moved by her passion and dedication. I will cherish the legacy of Gloria. Best regards to all family and friends!

James Williams

September 4, 2013

Prayer are ith you all as you gather to remember Gloria.
Our sympathy to each of you.

Sandra and Nick

September 4, 2013

I am sorry to hear of the passing of my classmate Gloria.

Kathryn (Plate) Frerichs

September 4, 2013

I remember Mrs. Bandstra from my days at Wyandotte High School. I heard a lot of good things about her while at Wyandotte. She will be missed.

Colin Fuller

September 4, 2013

Mary & Mark, Prayers and peace in the loss of your sister Mary!
Mike & Ruth Bushnell!

September 4, 2013

I worked with Gloria for many years at Wyandotte High School. She was a wonderful teacher and will be greatly missed.

Paula Nickum

September 3, 2013

Dear Andy & Connie, we are so very sorry to hear of the loss of your sister; we send you our sincerest, heartfelt sympathies. I hope you are doing good in Arizona, we miss you.
Rod & Paula Foster, Urbandale

September 3, 2013

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