Geraldine L. Rydell
January 11, 2014
Gerry L. Rydell, 83, passed away at Scottish Rite Park on January 11, 2014.
Gerry was born May 29, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Clell and Flossie (Crewse) Shriver. She was a life-long resident of Des Moines. Gerry graduated from Des Moines East High School, class of 1948. She married Bob Rydell in June of 1950. Gerry was a legal and insurance secretary, and a long time State of Iowa employee, serving as a legislative secretary and later retiring from the Iowa Code Editors Office. Gerry was an active member of Staves United Methodist Church where she had also served as the church organist. She was a Rainbow Girl, and belonged to Women’s Society of Christian Service, Eve Circle, Senate Secretaries, Ladies of Sertoma, and the Scandinavian Club. Gerry enjoyed sewing, playing bridge, gardening, tending to her rose bushes, traveling, playing BINGO, spending time with her grandchildren, and cheering on the Drake Women’s Basketball team.
Gerry is survived by her children: Kristi (Fred) Krambeck of Kimberling City, MO, Kathy (Mark) Hintz of Altoona, IA, Karen (Ric) Powell of Pleasant Hill, IA, and Mark (Valerie) Rydell of San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Bob.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Staves United Methodist Church, 2747 East Madison Avenue, Des Moines. Burial will follow at Berwick Cemetery in Berwick, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Staves United Methodist Church or Scottish Rite Park Miller Fund in loving memory of Gerry.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Wes Ritchie
01/15/2014
I had the pleasure of serving on the Bright Foundation board with Gerry. She was a delightful woman and I always enjoyed our conversations when I drove with her to meetings after Bob's death. I also treasure our last chat at Scottish Rite Park just before Christmas.
H.E. 'Gene Wallace
01/14/2014
I want the family to know I am so sorry. Gerry I met at John Adams Elementary School in about 1941 and was a classmate. I am so fortunate to have known she and Bob that both grew up in our neighborhood.
Blessings to all of you fine people.
Jim and Linda McPherson
01/14/2014
To the children of Bob and Gerry Rydell.
In life we only get one mother and one father and please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of your Dad and now your Mother Gerry.
Golden hearts stopped beating when God called both of them home.
We will miss them both, but many memories remain of the role they played in our lives.
Love, Jim and Linda
Jerry and Edith Travis
01/13/2014
What a wonderful reunion your Mom is having with all our loved ones who were waiting for her there.
Love and hugs to all the family,
Jerry and Edith Travis
Jerry and Diana Gates
Robert Travis