Gwendola M. Till

Gwendola Mary Till, 90 of Maquoketa put all of her eggs in one basket and gave the basket to God. That is how she lived her entire life, trusting in the Lord. On Saturday, February 10th, Gwendola received her angel wings. She will be honored with a funeral mass at 10:30 am on Monday, February 19th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. A visitation is planned from 2 to 6pm on Sunday, February 18th, also at the church, with the rosary at 1:30. Burial will be at St. Johns Catholic Cemetery in Andrew.Born on January 22, 1928, the eldest of 13 children to Arnold and Clara (Weis) Steines of Springbrook, IA, Gwendola learned the importance of hard work and prayer. As a young girl she loved school and was even promoted several grades within a single school year. Even though she had looked forward to high school, she did not have the opportunity to attend, as she was needed at home to help with farm chores and household work, and to help care for her younger siblings. After WWII and having lived through the depression, Gwendola fell in love with and married Merlin Till of Andrew on June 14, 1949. Together they farmed near Andrew, milking cows, growing corn and hay, and raising beef, chickens and their 14 children. Not only was Gwendola book smart, she had common sense. She used her organizational and multi-tasking skills every day as she raised her large family.Gwendola truly enjoyed being a member of St. Johns Catholic Church in Andrew. She wasnt just an active member, she was part of its heartbeat. In addition to serving on rosary society, parish council and as a circle leader, she sang in the choir and taught religion class for many years. Her faith was evident in the many peoples lives she touched, teaching them about Christs love as they joined the Catholic community. For over 60 years, Gwendola led the rosary before Sunday morning mass.Gwendolas example of Gods love impacted the lives of so many people, including her 14 children, Arnold (Sharon) of Camanche, Kenneth (Karin) of Maquoketa, Cletus (Anna) of Bellevue, Allan (Karen) of Maquoketa, Barbara (Loras)Deppe of Bellevue, Judy (John) Schaefer of Preston, Stephen (Lori) of Springbrook, Thomas (JoDee) of Dyersville, Mary (Kevin) Rupp of Maquoketa, Diane (Gary) DeVilbiss of Ossian, Jeff of Bellevue, Rick (Dawn) of Casselberry, Florida, Ruth (Terry) Beek of Bellevue, and Carolyn (Joe) Kilburg of Lisbon. Gwendola is blessed with 40 Grandchildren: Becky, Paula, Peter, Travis, Lance, Rhonda, Rachael, Tina, Tiffany, Mike, Matt, Marissa, Mark, Nichelle, Jessalyn, Ben, Jessica, Jill, Jamie, Faith, Brittany, Jolynn, Katelynn, Trevyn, Trenae, Trenessa, Mikael, Jennika, Jayden, Kennidee, Paxten, Wylee, Sofia, Jordan, Allison, Alex, Conrad, McKenna, Kaden, Kiah. She has 38 Great-Grandchildren with another due in April, and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.Gwendola is also survived by two brothers, Roger (Jan) Steines of Springbrook and Larry (Patti) Steines of Dubuque, and 8 sisters, Betty (Dick) Fleege of Summerfield, Florida, Iona (Harold) Koppes of Dubuque, Sister Shirley Steines of Lamberton, Minnesota, Marlene Steines of Aurora, Colorado, Mary Jo (Gary) Beohm of Ankeny, and Kelma (Bob) Michels, Darlene Sieverding, and Bonnie Charboneau all of Bellevue.In addition to her parents, Gwendola will be welcomed into heaven by her husband Merlin who passed away in 1999 and a special little great-grand angel Addilynn Brockmeyer. Also preceding her in death are her brother Merrice Steines and his wife Phyllis, sister Madonna McCloy and her husband Joe, sisters-in-law Shirley Monner and Darlene Kilburg and her husband Norman, and brothers-in-law Ray Charboneau, Tom Sieverding, and Lavern Till.Gwendolas family is extremely thankful to Hospice of Jackson County for all their care and compassion for the past 6 months. Arrangements are through Hachmann Funeral Home in Bellevue.