Pella, Iowa
(Age 100)
DIED
April 5, 2006
Pella, Iowa
FUNERAL SERVICES
10:00 A.M., Saturday, April 8, 2006
First Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa
VISITATION
After 4:00 P.M. Friday, April 7, 2006
Family will be present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M., Friday
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS
MEMORIALS MAY BE GIVEN TO:
Susie Boot Memorial Fund
Susie (Zwank) Boot
Susie (Zwank) Boot was born January 16, 1906, on a farm nor th of Pella in the area known as Sandridge. She was the dau ghter of Jacob and Nellie (Vos) Zwank and the last of eigh t children.
On December 24, 1929, she was united in marriage to Armou r Boot by the Reverend Bernie Mulder at the Pella First Ref ormed Church parsonage. At the time of Armor's death on Feb ruary 15, 1984, they had been married fifty-five years.
On June 8, 1931, their daughter, Nola Ruth, was born at Mer cy Hospital in Oskaloosa. Her arrival caused discussion amo ng family and neighbors as she was the first to not arriv e by home delivery. Near birthing time Armour's big concer n was weather. Every evening he would place chains on the c ar tires should rain occur as roads were still mud, not gra veled.
They lived on the Boot family farm south of Sully near th e Marion-Jasper County line until March, 1939, when they mo ved to what was then the outskirts of Pella. The home was a ccessible by a block-long graveled lane, pasture to the wes t, and a neighbor's alfalfa field to the east. This home i n which she lived for sixty-four years is now in the middl e of town.
Her education was through eighth grade in the rural Sandrid ge school. If the school were still there, it's location wo uld be on the northeast corner of 248th Avenue and Blue Str eet.
She recently shared her school days with two Jefferson Scho ol kindergarten classes. Her round enamel lunch bucket, whi ch basically would hold a sandwich, was shown to them. Som e of the memories shared were:
Walking one and one-half miles to and from school;
Getting the school drinking water at the nearby neighbor's , as the school's well water was not usable, and in the fal l having the luxury of snitching an apple from a nearby tre e;
Growing up when there seemed to be more snow, and she recal led walking to school across fences on top of a hard curst;
Another winter memory was the rare occasion of being take n to school by bobsled and the ringing of the sleigh bell s on the horses;
There was one teacher for all eight grades and primary;
Boys were needed for harvest in the fall and planting in th e spring and could only attend school during the winter a t which time enrollment would increase to between fifty an d sixty students;
Books were scarce and slates were used;
Everyone used one wash pan to clean their hands and then wi ped them dry on a nearby cloth towel;
Toilet facilities were an outhouse for girls and another fo r boys which contained catalogs as there was no toilet tiss ue'
Warmth came from a stove in the middle of the room. In wint er wet mittens and clothing were placed by it to dry, emitt ing a foul odor;
The teacher's desk was on a raised platform and this platfo rm became the staging area for school programs;
Games were many including annie-annie-over, fox and geese i n winter, ball games, races and quiet play times when girl s perhaps brought their dolls;
Also recalled were gypsies who camped on the grounds for on e or two weeks.
Susie was a faithful life-long member of Pella First Reform ed Church. Her membership remained here though, in early ma rriage years, she was active in the Bethany Reformed Churc h located near her rural Sully home. Bethany Willing Worker s was a mission oriented group which she faithfully attende d. When the church was disbanded this group continued to me et monthly for many years for study and fellowship.
She was a devoted mother, an active farm wife who assiste d with all farm chores from chickens to milking, and an exc ellent cook. She enjoyed preparing wholesome tasteful meal s for family and friends. Summers found visiting nieces an d nephews. Nola didn't lack for company.
Susie liked to entertain. It was a time to get out the bes t china and silver. Special groups included two card club s (one a family potluck group) and a soup supper neighborho od group which brought pleasure. She was the last survivin g member of these groups whose friendships she relished.
Prior to marriage Susie had worked in the Wilson family hom e. Knowing she was again nearby she started her jewelry sto re employment in 1945 when hired to do general cleaning a t Wilson Jewelry. This part-time beginning gradually becam e full-time employment. Ownership of this store changed thr ough the years but her employment continued, though on a ve ry limited basis at the end when she retired at age ninety- seven in July, 2003. A fellow employee, Kathy Van Veen, an d she bonded and shared a tender loving relationship not on ly for the enjoyed work but for each other.
A special life's highlight was attending the many politica l functions with Armour when, following duties as a City Co uncilman, he was elected to represent Iowa and Marion Count y as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives in 1965- 66.
Her knee deterioration was painful and affected her forme r quick stepping physical stature. In spite of pain, one ba sically did not hear her complain. Hearing loss was a frust ration. She was always grateful for eye sight allowing he r to read. People were her pleasure. She loved everyone an d was especially grateful to friends who took her out to ea t, meetings and to church. The kindness and warmth from tho se in her church circle and Chapter NDE, P.E.O. sisters sh e cherished.
On April 5, 2006, she passed way at the Pella Comfort Hous e at the age of 100 years. Among those who will cherish he r memory are her daughter: Nola Vander Streek of Pella; he r two grandchildren and their spouses: Ann and Thomas Summi tt and Paul and Janice (Melvin) Vander Streek all of Pella ; and four great-grandchildren: Nathaniel and Elizabeth Sum mitt and Louis and Bret Vander Streek.
Susie was preceded in death by her husband, Armour, in 1984 ; her parents; three brothers: Bennie, Herman and Peter J . Zwank; four sisters: Annie, who died in infancy, Johann a at age three, Hattie Vos and Nettie Geurts; and son-in-la w: Lloyd Vander Streek.
1301 Main Street
Pella, Iowa 50219
641-628-2430 11892 Hwy F-62 E.
Sully, Iowa 50251 Armour BOOT and Susie ZWANK had the following children:
+313 i.
Nola Ruth BOOT.
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