Alma Gilchrist

Alma L. Gilchrist, 94, died peacefully Monday evening, July 4, at Westbrook Acres Nursing Home where she had been a resident for 4 years. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 9, at 10:30 am at Peace United Church of Christ, Gladbrook, with burial following at Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5-7pm at Peace Church with family present at that time. Alma Laurine Dora Dreessen was born Dec 27,1921 on a farm east of Garwin in Howard Township. She was the eldest child of Hans B. and Helga Carstensen Dreessen. She attended country school in Howard Township until the family moved to a farm north of Gladbrook where she finished country school before attending and graduating from Gladbrook High School in 1939. She took the only post graduate course offered in Gladbrook which was the basis for her business education. Soon after, she went to work in Waterloo, later returning to Gladbrook to work as a legal secretary and insurance agent. On July 31, 1949, Alma married James A. Gilchrist of Waterman, IL. In 1961 the couple purchased Insurance Service Agencies where Alma had been employed prior to marriage. They operated the business together until Jims death on Dec 23, 1984. Within a year following Jims passing, she sold the insurance business but continued to work as a Realtor. She was a former member of the Tama County Board of Realtors, retiring from the real estate business in 1989. Alma was a member of Peace United Church of Christ, past church board member, served on numerous search committees, past president of the Peace Church Evening Womens Fellowship, and Adult Fellowship. She was a life member of Ehrig McTurk Auxiliary #127 and served as unit president and in various other positions in the organization. She was a 50 year member of the Eastern Star Bona Dea Chapter 375 and held numerous stations in the Eastern Star organization. She was past president of the Gladbrook Womens Club and a life member of the MMSC Auxiliary having served as a MMSC Auxiliary board member. She volunteered at the hospital for over 35 years. After retiring she enjoyed traveling, gardening, playing cards and following the activities of her grandchildren. Alma is survived by her children Julia (Charles) Landon, Colorado Springs, CO, Jeffrey (Sharon) Gilchrist, Fishers, IN, Kristine Gilchrist-Dull, Marshalltown, Kelly (Dianne) Gilchrist, Davenport, and Lisa Gilchrist Reinhard, Gladbrook, fourteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and a sister, Betty (Raymond) Wiebensohn, Mishicot, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, a brother, Raymond Dreessen, grandson Austin Dull, and son-in-law Kevin Dull. A memorial fund has been established.