OBITUARY: Gutmann, Viola Anne; 1904-2002

[Mitchell County Press-News online -- Posted January 1, 2003]


                            Viola Anne Gutmann
                            
Memorial services were held for Viola Anne Gutmann Monday, December 23, 2002
at Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, St. Ansgar, IA. The Reverend Byron
Northwick officiated. Burial will be at a later date. She passed away
December 21, 2002 at the Stacyville Nursing Home, Stacyville, IA.

Viola was born June 25, 1904 to George J. and Minna Laura (Riccius) Gutmann
of St. Ansgar. The Gutmann family operated the bakery in St. Ansgar for
many years, and everyone was expected to help out. She attended school
in St. Ansgar and was valedictorian of her senior class in 1922. Earlier
in 1918 she had been confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Vi decided on teaching as her profession, and attended both Iowa State
Teachers College and the State University of Iowa. Here she graduated
with a BA in 1929. For a few years in between attending each college she
had taught math in the Bayard, IA schools for two years. She taught math
in Mouton, IA for several years. In 1933 she started teaching at Story
City, IA, where she remained there for 35 years. In 1958 she was presented
with a new 1959 Chevy during the half-time of a football game. Graduating
classes from her 25 years of teaching there had contributed enough money
to make this happen. It was truly the highlight of her teaching career!
In 1962 the Story City yearbook was dedicated to her and one quotation
sums up her work nicely-"She was our best teacher ever!"  Education was
always important to Vi and she also took several advanced courses in
math during summer breaks.

After her retirement she returned to St. Ansgar. Keeping in touch with
family and friends was very important to Vi and she did this by writing
letters and making phone calls. She also enjoyed gardening, mowing her
own lawn, driving around in her car and playing cards. She also assisted
at the library for several years. She was a faithful member of Immanuel
Lutheran Church. Her last few years were spent at the Stacyville Nursing
Home.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, brothers George and Herman and
sisters Esther Klindt and Harriet Machlan.

Her survivors include two nephews and five nieces, one sister-in-law and
many great-nephews and nieces.





Copyright (c) 2003 by Kermit Kittleson
(Note: I am not necessarily related to the subject of the obituary.)
This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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