Geraldine L. Rydell

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.

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