Geraldine Ada Kommes

    Geraldine Ada Kommes, the third of nine children of Charles and Marcella (Hatton) Anstey, was born December 26, 1924, on her parents’ farm in Edna Township, south of Massena, Iowa and died November 9, 2023, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 98 years, 10 months, and 13 days.

    Gerry was baptized and confirmed at St. Timothy Catholic Church south of Cumberland, Iowa. She attended rural school at Edna Township #6. Gerry became a member of the Edna Township 4-H Club and enjoyed showing her Hereford calves at the Cass County Fair, Iowa State Fair and at Aksarben in Omaha, Nebraska. She studied at the Corning High School and then graduated from the Cumberland High School with the Class of 1943. Gerry then received her Elementary Teaching Degree from Ottumwa Heights College and taught school in Exira, Iowa.

    On June 23, 1947, she was united in marriage to Ambrose J. Kommes at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Cumberland. They adopted two children James Paul and Jerlyn Cathy. Gerry taught in the Exira Community Schools for 11 years and then became a cashier at the Lewis Market and later at Jim’s Super Market where she worked until she retired.

    Gerry was an active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She was a member and held offices in the Altar and Rosary Society and while President she organized the committee to build the Catholic Hall. Gerry taught religious classes for 22 years and served as Treasurer of the National Council of Catholic Women. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served as President of the Audubon County Legion Auxiliary. Gerry was a Brownie leader and a Cub Scout leader. She was a member of the Flame Gals, the Red Hat Fire Crackers, the retired Teachers and a member of the Exira Community Club. Gerry liked to bowl, put jig-saw puzzles together, and was an avid reader with Danielle Steele being her favorite author. She loved watching NBA games and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones. But most of all she enjoyed being with her grandchildren and friends.

    Preceding her in death was her husband Ambrose Kommes; her son James Kommes; her parents Charles and Marcella; Ambrose’s parents Frank and Elizabeth Kommes; her brothers and sisters: Charles and wife Ruby Anstey, Larry and wife Mary Ann Anstey, Eugene and wife Phyllis Anstey, Leo and wife Beverly Anstey, Marie and husband Edward Carper, and Rita and husband Lloyd Worthington; her brother-in-law Tony and wife Elaine Kommes; her sister-in-law: Bernice and husband Robert Robinson; her nephews Chris Anstey and Douglas Kommes.

    Survivors include her daughter Jerlyn and husband Bob Ewing of Macon. Missouri; her 5 grandchildren Jamie (Allison) Buckholdt of Elk Horn, Iowa, Cathy (John) Drury of Harlan, Iowa, Brian (Sara) Buckholdt of Underwood, Iowa, Isaac (Amanda) Kommes of Exira, Iowa, and Chelsi (Kirk) Rochholz of Casey, Iowa; her11 great grandchildren: Zachary (Kayla) Bush, Drew Buckholdt, Hannah Warner, Whitney (Austin) Foss, William Buckholdt, Wyatt Buckholdt, Isabella Buckholdt, Cody Kommes, Derrek Kommes, Bryce Rochholz, and Lilly Rochholz; her brothers Dr. John and wife Kathleen Anstey of Omaha, Nebraska and Thomas Anstey of Arlington, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.