Vonda Gehlhaar

Vonda Lea Jackson Gehlhaar passed away January 10, 2022 in Osceola, Iowa. The daughter of Ralph Andrew and Carmaleta Alice Rogers Jackson, Vonda was born June 28, 1936 on the family farm near Persia, Iowa and was baptized February 26, 1943 at her home in Fonda, Iowa. She grew up in northwest Iowa moving every year as her father was a farm laborer. She moved near Derby, Iowa when the family purchased a farm in 1951.

On June 3, 1953 she married Carl “Ivan” Gehlhaar. This union was blessed with nine children, Marlene, Marilyn, Delores, Alice, Denise, Mary, Thomas, Melissa and Alan

(stillborn). They were inseparable for over sixty-eight years.

The Gehlhaar’s made their home in and near Garden Grove for the next 66 years, living on Ivan’s family farm since 1966 which Ivan and Vonda purchased. Vonda worked on the farm beside her husband, helping where ever needed when time allowed, especially farrowing sows and raising small pigs. Family was the most important thing in her life. After seeing most of her children leave home, Vonda pursued and achieved her GED in June 1987. She furthered her education at Southwestern Community College and graduated in May 1989 with a diploma in Clerical Office.

Vonda was a 4-H leader for 5 years, organized a PTA, organized farm survival meetings in the 80′s, worked in Farm Bureau women’s organization, and was a Sunday school teacher.

Vonda loved to sew making most of the clothes for her older daughters, she also enjoyed crafts, crocheting, growing flowers and arranging them and reading.

Vonda was proceeded in death by her parents, infant son, Alan Dean, grand daughter Zoey Van Eaton, only sister Joeleen, brothers Gerald, Jerry, Donald, Merne, Duane, Max and Marlin; son-in-law, Grant Rice and many sisters-in-law.

Vonda is survived by her husband Ivan of Leon, IA and siblings Larry Jackson of Des Moines, IA and Gene Jackson of Tucson, AZ. Surviving children

are Marlene Seitz (Bob) of Shelby, IA, Marilyn Warren (Chuck) of Leon, IA, Delores Gehlhaar of West Des Moines, IA, Alice Brown (Mickey) of Padacuh, KY, Denise Gehlhaar (Phil Flores) of Ankeny, IA, Mary Dodson (Scott Van Eaton) of Fontanelle, IA, Tom Gehlhaar (Stephanie) of Humeston, IA and Melissa Gehlhaar of Humeston, 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Monday January 17, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Mickey Brown officiating.

The family will greet friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Kale Funeral Home.

The Family encourages the use of face coverings for the safety of the elderly. A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Vonda’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 a.m., Monday.

Interment will be in the Garden Grove Cemetery

Memorial contributions may be directed to her family.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com