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. Later in her career she obtained a masters degree in both education and library science. She taught for 40 years, most of that time in Wyandotte High School of Kansas City, KS. She ended her career as the librarian at Chick Elementary School of Kansas City, MO. She moved to Des Moines in June.
Gloria was a life-long educator both inside and outside the classroom. She predominantly taught in inner city classrooms, even starting a debate program at one inner city high school. That debate program went on to win several awards. Many students saw Gloria as a lifeline to a better education and opportunities. Gloria traveled extensively throughout the world oftentimes with her family members in tow. She hauled nieces and nephews all over the country sometimes in numbers that exceeded the listed capacity of her vehicle.
Gloria was passionate about her causes and they were many! She was a strong advocate for women, especially her nieces, and was always their cheerleader. She was vitally involved with AAUW. She was very active in theater, performing, directing, and attending. Community theater was her love. She greatly enjoyed all forms of literature, and read extensively. She was very engaged in the political process and always proud to share that she was a 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. Her nieces and nephews are Scott, Mike, Paul, Cary, Zach, Eric, and Kimberly Bandstra; Michelle Bonebrake, Kriss and Craig De Jong, and Andrea Wells. She also has many great nieces and nephews, and a great, great niece and nephew! There are also many cousins and other extended family members.
Memorial contributions may be directed to WesleyLife Hospice in honor of the service of Liz Miller and Aree Baker.
[published at Iles Funeral Homes]
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. Later in her career she obtained a masters degree in both education and library science. She taught for 40 years, most of that time in Wyandotte High School of Kansas City, KS. She ended her career as the librarian at Chick Elementary School of Kansas City, MO. She moved to Des Moines in June.
Gloria was a life-long educator both inside and outside the classroom. She predominantly taught in inner city classrooms, even starting a debate program at one inner city high school. That debate program went on to win several awards. Many students saw Gloria as a lifeline to a better education and opportunities. Gloria traveled extensively throughout the world oftentimes with her family members in tow. She hauled nieces and nephews all over the country sometimes in numbers that exceeded the listed capacity of her vehicle.
Gloria was passionate about her causes and they were many! She was a strong advocate for women, especially her nieces, and was always their cheerleader. She was vitally involved with AAUW. She was very active in theater, performing, directing, and attending. Community theater was her love. She greatly enjoyed all forms of literature, and read extensively. She was very engaged in the political process and always proud to share that she was a 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. Her nieces and nephews are Scott, Mike, Paul, Cary, Zach, Eric, and Kimberly Bandstra; Michelle Bonebrake, Kriss and Craig De Jong, and Andrea Wells. She also has many great nieces and nephews, and a great, great niece and nephew! There are also many cousins and other extended family members.
Memorial contributions may be directed to WesleyLife Hospice in honor of the service of Liz Miller and Aree Baker.
[published at Iles Funeral Homes]
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. Later in her career she obtained a masters degree in both education and library science. She taught for 40 years, most of that time in Wyandotte High School of Kansas City, KS. She ended her career as the librarian at Chick Elementary School of Kansas City, MO. She moved to Des Moines in June.
Gloria was a life-long educator both inside and outside the classroom. She predominantly taught in inner city classrooms, even starting a debate program at one inner city high school. That debate program went on to win several awards. Many students saw Gloria as a lifeline to a better education and opportunities. Gloria traveled extensively throughout the world oftentimes with her family members in tow. She hauled nieces and nephews all over the country sometimes in numbers that exceeded the listed capacity of her vehicle.
Gloria was passionate about her causes and they were many! She was a strong advocate for women, especially her nieces, and was always their cheerleader. She was vitally involved with AAUW. She was very active in theater, performing, directing, and attending. Community theater was her love. She greatly enjoyed all forms of literature, and read extensively. She was very engaged in the political process and always proud to share that she was a 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. Her nieces and nephews are Scott, Mike, Paul, Cary, Zach, Eric, and Kimberly Bandstra; Michelle Bonebrake, Kriss and Craig De Jong, and Andrea Wells. She also has many great nieces and nephews, and a great, great niece and nephew! There are also many cousins and other extended family members.
Memorial contributions may be directed to WesleyLife Hospice in honor of the service of Liz Miller and Aree Baker.
[published at Iles Funeral Homes]
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. Later in her career she obtained a masters degree in both education and library science. She taught for 40 years, most of that time in Wyandotte High School of Kansas City, KS. She ended her career as the librarian at Chick Elementary School of Kansas City, MO. She moved to Des Moines in June.
Gloria was a life-long educator both inside and outside the classroom. She predominantly taught in inner city classrooms, even starting a debate program at one inner city high school. That debate program went on to win several awards. Many students saw Gloria as a lifeline to a better education and opportunities. Gloria traveled extensively throughout the world oftentimes with her family members in tow. She hauled nieces and nephews all over the country sometimes in numbers that exceeded the listed capacity of her vehicle.
Gloria was passionate about her causes and they were many! She was a strong advocate for women, especially her nieces, and was always their cheerleader. She was vitally involved with AAUW. She was very active in theater, performing, directing, and attending. Community theater was her love. She greatly enjoyed all forms of literature, and read extensively. She was very engaged in the political process and always proud to share that she was a 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. Her nieces and nephews are Scott, Mike, Paul, Cary, Zach, Eric, and Kimberly Bandstra; Michelle Bonebrake, Kriss and Craig De Jong, and Andrea Wells. She also has many great nieces and nephews, and a great, great niece and nephew! There are also many cousins and other extended family members.
Memorial contributions may be directed to WesleyLife Hospice in honor of the service of Liz Miller and Aree Baker.
[published at Iles Funeral Homes]
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