1931
Emilie
2018
Emilie Ann "Sally" Grendler
April 1, 1931 — September 13, 2018
Emilie Ann “Sally” Grendler, 87, of Sioux City, died Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Sioux City. Alzheimer’s disease robbed Emilie of her abilities; however, she retained her gentle, sweet spirit throughout her final days.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home Chapel with Father Dennis Meinen officiating. Visitation with the family present will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Emilie was born on April 1, 1931 in Yankton, SD to Albert O. Grendler, Sr. and Winifred Hansen Grendler. As a toddler, her grandfather, Ferdinand Hansen, called her Sally and that became her name among family.
She attended elementary school in Yankton and St. Peter’s School, Jefferson, SD. At age 13, Emilie and her family moved to Sioux City due to her father’s job with the Milwaukee Railroad. A 1948 graduate of Cathedral High School she pursued a career as an elementary teacher. Her mother often told stories of Emilie as a young girl holding school for her siblings and neighborhood friends. The family’s kitchen was her first classroom.
She received a two-year teaching certificate from Briar Cliff College; her first job as a teacher was in Ute, Iowa. In 1958 she completed a Bachelor of Arts with honors in elementary education from Briar Cliff. She received a Masters of Education from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, in 1964; she also completed an administrative certificate from USD.
Forty-two of her forty-six-year teaching career was with the Sioux City Community School District. Nine years at Riverview School, and thirty-three years at Hunt School. Her expertise was teaching primary grade students to read, and enjoy the fun and discipline of learning. Former students always remembered her. She was always thrilled when she was out and about and someone would ask, “Are you Miss Grendler, my third-grade teacher?”
Retiring in 1996 she had a second career with volunteering. She returned to the classroom as a volunteer through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She assisted beginning readers at Hunt School for seven years. Her involvement with RSVP included serving as the Advisory Board secretary. Other volunteer activities included the American Cancer Society, Bargain Center, Cathedral Arts Guild, Friends of the Library, and Sioux City Public Museum. She served faithfully for decades at the Cathedral of the Epiphany as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, docent, religious education teacher, and Pastoral Committee member.
She was a member of the American Association of University Women, Catholic Daughters of Americas, Ava Maria #269, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Girls of ’68, and Sioux City Retired Educators Unit.
Emilie was dedicated to her family. She took loving care of her mother who lived with Emilie in their Douglas Street home. Emilie was an advocate and teacher for her nieces and nephews. She helped all of them in many kind and caring ways. Retirement offered her more time for travel, Bible study, book clubs, attending family activities, and enjoying her great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Albert O. and Winifred Grendler: siblings, Mary P. McCarthy, Father Albert O. Grendler, Jr., Joan Shaw, and Dorothy Persinger; niece Kathy Persinger, nephew Tom McCarthy, and brother-in-law Robert D. Persinger.
Many thanks to the staff of Holy Spirit Retirement Home for the compassionate and respectful care provided to Sally since moving there April 1, 2015. Sally’s end of life care was blessed with extra TLC from Hospice of Siouxland staff and volunteers.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Hospice of Siouxland, or Sioux City Public Museum. Sally was thrilled to attend the opening day of the new Sioux City Museum with its excellent learning opportunities for young and old. She never lost her excitement for teaching and learning!
Lastly, to honor Sally’s memory, encourage reading, visit a care center resident, or do an anonymous good deed
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home Chapel with Father Dennis Meinen officiating. Visitation with the family present will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Emilie was born on April 1, 1931 in Yankton, SD to Albert O. Grendler, Sr. and Winifred Hansen Grendler. As a toddler, her grandfather, Ferdinand Hansen, called her Sally and that became her name among family.
She attended elementary school in Yankton and St. Peter’s School, Jefferson, SD. At age 13, Emilie and her family moved to Sioux City due to her father’s job with the Milwaukee Railroad. A 1948 graduate of Cathedral High School she pursued a career as an elementary teacher. Her mother often told stories of Emilie as a young girl holding school for her siblings and neighborhood friends. The family’s kitchen was her first classroom.
She received a two-year teaching certificate from Briar Cliff College; her first job as a teacher was in Ute, Iowa. In 1958 she completed a Bachelor of Arts with honors in elementary education from Briar Cliff. She received a Masters of Education from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, in 1964; she also completed an administrative certificate from USD.
Forty-two of her forty-six-year teaching career was with the Sioux City Community School District. Nine years at Riverview School, and thirty-three years at Hunt School. Her expertise was teaching primary grade students to read, and enjoy the fun and discipline of learning. Former students always remembered her. She was always thrilled when she was out and about and someone would ask, “Are you Miss Grendler, my third-grade teacher?”
Retiring in 1996 she had a second career with volunteering. She returned to the classroom as a volunteer through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She assisted beginning readers at Hunt School for seven years. Her involvement with RSVP included serving as the Advisory Board secretary. Other volunteer activities included the American Cancer Society, Bargain Center, Cathedral Arts Guild, Friends of the Library, and Sioux City Public Museum. She served faithfully for decades at the Cathedral of the Epiphany as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, docent, religious education teacher, and Pastoral Committee member.
She was a member of the American Association of University Women, Catholic Daughters of Americas, Ava Maria #269, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Girls of ’68, and Sioux City Retired Educators Unit.
Emilie was dedicated to her family. She took loving care of her mother who lived with Emilie in their Douglas Street home. Emilie was an advocate and teacher for her nieces and nephews. She helped all of them in many kind and caring ways. Retirement offered her more time for travel, Bible study, book clubs, attending family activities, and enjoying her great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Albert O. and Winifred Grendler: siblings, Mary P. McCarthy, Father Albert O. Grendler, Jr., Joan Shaw, and Dorothy Persinger; niece Kathy Persinger, nephew Tom McCarthy, and brother-in-law Robert D. Persinger.
Those left to honor her memory are her nieces and nephews: Mary C. McCarthy, Karen M. (Ken Todd) McCarthy, Dennis J. (Kris) McCarthy, Kimberly A. Kuehl, Amy L. Thacker and fiancé Tim Alvano, Julie A. (Brad) Schindler, Sara J. Den Beste, Christopher L. (Brenda) Persinger, JoAnna M. Knox, and Shane Hosch; Great Nieces and Nephews: Erin, Eriksen and James Todd; Maddie and Anna McCarthy; Kane (Mandi) Kuehl, Bobby Kuehl, Lindsey Persinger, Samantha Rogers, Tristan, Taylor, Tanner, Brittany, and Ashley Beaulieu, Brittney, Oliver, and Zoe Schindler, Alexandria (Tyler) Garrett, Braxton Den Beste, Brianna and Brandon Norris, Ethan and Olivia Knox; and nine great great nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to the staff of Holy Spirit Retirement Home for the compassionate and respectful care provided to Sally since moving there April 1, 2015. Sally’s end of life care was blessed with extra TLC from Hospice of Siouxland staff and volunteers.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Hospice of Siouxland, or Sioux City Public Museum. Sally was thrilled to attend the opening day of the new Sioux City Museum with its excellent learning opportunities for young and old. She never lost her excitement for teaching and learning!
Lastly, to honor Sally’s memory, encourage reading, visit a care center resident, or do an anonymous good deed
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Emilie Ann "Sally" Grendler, please visit our flower store.
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