Asta Blakely
November 24, 2010
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Service Details
Asta Odesssa Blakely, 94, died Wednesday, November 24,2010 at the University of Iowa medical Center of a massive stroke. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 3, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at Grandview Park Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held 12 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.
Asta was born April 23, 1916 to Louis and Anna Geisler in Steele, ND. She graduated from high school in Steele, North Dakota and earned a diploma in cosmetology from the Iowa Beauty School in Des Moines. Asta started her career in hairdressing in Osceola, Iowa immediately following graduation. She later moved to Des Moines where she worked at the New Utica in the hair salon until she opened her own business in her East Des Moines home. Upon retiring, she moved to Stone Crest Apartments in East Des Moines where she enjoyed her many friends, living independently until her death.
Asta is survived by her only child, Charles (Chuck) and Linda Blakely of Olathe, KS: sister, Verda (Howard) Homrig of Urbandale: two grandchildren, Paul Blakely of Ft. Myers, FL and Denise (Bruce) Meyer of Paola, KS: four great grandchildren: and a host of other family and beloved friends.
She was preceded by her parents, husband, Charles Blakely, Sr.: brothers, Junior "Tyke" and Milford Geisler, and sisters, Nadine Jones, Leta Parker and Delpha Geisler.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grandview Park Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made to:
www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
Sharon Lewis Omvig and Larry Lewis
12/23/2010
Dear Chuck and Family,
When my husband, Jim, and I were visiting in Des Moines recently, my brother, Larry, mentioned to me that your mother had passed away only a few days earlier.
You probably won't remember us. Our mother was Glenys Israel. She passed away in 2000. Our mom worked at the New Utica with your mom many years ago. She later established her own business just like your mom. I think they were two very loved hairdressers in east Des Moines--Lee Township against the world :-). I know our mom finally had to stop taking appointments--she had so many standing appointments.
Your mother was a dear friend to our mother. Mom often spoke of Asta with such fondness. I know they were very dear girlfriends. I think they may have lost contact somewhat when mom moved to the SW side of the city.
I know you miss your mother, but the good memories will live on. Just knowing of her friendship with my mom is comforting to me. Please know how profoundly sorry my brother and I were to learn the news of your mom's death.
Larry Lewis and Sharon Lewis Omvig
Laura Hamilton
12/06/2010
What a gracious, kind woman your mom was, Chuck! Reading of her death prompted memories clear back in the '60s when you and Linda started dating. I often wondered at first what she must think of the boisterous Lemon/Bolin family. But I learned over the years that she was such a sweet, accepting person -- she enjoyed everyone and everything. I always enjoyed her company. She was a great example of calm assurance and I'm sure your whole family has many comforting memories of her. We send our sympathy to you and Linda and to all Asta's family. Everyone who knew her admired her and I'm sure you'll miss her. Let us know sometime when you are in Des Moines and have time to get together. With love, Laura
Lisa (Burgett) Gift
12/03/2010
Dear family of Asta:
I was saddened to see of the passing of Asta, in todays Des Moines Register. My Grandma, Iva Burgett, lived on E.22ndCt., and she would go to Asta's home to get her hair done. Asta was a wonderful person! I saw her a few years ago and said hello to her. With deepest sympathy, Lisa (Burgett) Gift
Bertha Ann Jones Swanson
12/02/2010
Dear Chuck and Family,
As you gather to celebrate the life of your mother, I would like to share a bit about how important she was to the Jones family. It seemed whenever someone was in the hospital, Aunt Asta was there to help. She was always a spiritual haven for us, able to bring peace where there was anxiety, hope where there was discouragement and reason where there was chaos.
Few people live their faith with the wisdom and passion she had. She was a wise and wealthy woman who invested in the things eternal rather than those that were temporal.
My prayer is that she will know that the seeds of faith she planted have and will continue to grow and flourish.
May the presence of God comfort you.
Love, Bertha Ann Jones Swanson
Asta Twedt
12/02/2010
My sympathy to you on the loss of your dear sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
I came to know of Asta some years ago when I was coordinator of volunteer services at Lutheran Social Service. Our Eldercare director told me that she had met another Asta who was a neighbor, friend, and wonderful assistant to one of our Eldercare clients. I called Asta, and we laughed over the phone about sharing a name, even pronouncing it the same, and later we made arrangements to meet for a Saturday breakfast. After that, we kept contact once in awhile but gradually quit correspondence. I thought of her now and then, and now that I find out she was still livingand independently!I wish I had kept up the connection.
I must say I am delighted to share an unusual name with such a lovely woman. She set the bar high for the name Asta, and I hope I can live up to the standard she set for being a thoughtful and caring person.
May God bless her memory.
Asta Twedt
509 NE Stone Valley Dr.
Ankeny, IA 50021
Jackie Wilson
12/01/2010
Dear Chuck and Linda, Paul and Denise and kids,
As I am unable to attend Asta's services I just wanted each of you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Asta was a wonderful person and was a wonderful example of a true Christian , she will be missed dearly. However she is home... and we will all be united again through Christ. I would like to share the words of an old hymn by J.M. Black that I know Asta loved, I hope you find peace and comfort in the words as I have , and I know Asta did.
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up younder I'll be there.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, and the roll is called up younder I'll be there.
Love and Prayers
Jackie
Mark Homrig
12/01/2010
Dear Chuck, Linda, and family,
Your mother was such a wonderful person and I feel privileged to have known her. I remember as a kid my mom and I would come over to your house. While they visited your mom always made sure I was occupied with something interestinglike your guitar! In all the time I knew her I cant remember a single time that she raised her voice or was angry. Two years ago when my dad threw out his back she made the time to come to the hospital to visit him. Her life was well-lived with good deeds and kindness. I will certainly miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Verda Homrig
11/30/2010
Dear Chuck, Linda, and family,
My memories of my sister are very heartwarming as I think about them. Asta was a wonderful loving sister, wife, and mother. She had such a warm spot in her heart for children. She loved to teach vacation bible school and take care of all the young kids. In these last years sometimes I would get to feeling a little blue and I would call Asta and she was always able to cheer me up and make things better. She was always very religious person and I know that she is at peace now with Jesus. God bless her.
Diane (Davis) Davidson
11/29/2010
Chuck, Linda and Family,
Sorry to learn of your Mother's passing. She was a caring and nice lady and very proud of her family.
While I have not seen her lately, in the past she asked about my family and talked about you and your family. Will also remember her kindness when my folks passed away.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.