"Martha was a great addition to Sunday service. We were fortunate to have her attend our services and have missed her since she moved. She loved the childrens time. "
Miss Martha "Rose" Gugeler, 71, of Donnellson, and formerly of Hope Haven in Burlington, died at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Donnellson Health Center.
Born December 8, 1941 in Burlington, she was the daughter of Walter and Rose Kuntz Gugeler.
Miss Gugeler was a member of Zion United Church of Christ and in later years attended First United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed taking trips to the Dairy Queen, babies, reading, having her picture taken, roller skating, dancing and traveling. She looked forward to calling Don Brandt on her birthday so she could be named as the hostess of the "Buggy Ride". She also was a huge fan of Oral Roberts and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Survivors include her guardian, Jan (Roger) Krieger of Burlington; her first cousins, Ralph Gugeler and Don Gugeler both of Burlington; Lucille Waggoner of Wyoming, IA, Joyce Harris of Key Largo, FL, Alice Burgess and Ruth Larson; and numerous extended cousins and family.
Her parents were pioneers for education of the mentally disabled as opposed to institutionalization and Martha was one of the first and a long time resident of Hope Haven. Martha was very proud of the Gugeler Home at Hope Haven being named after her family.
Martha's family wishes to express their overwhelming appreciation to Hope Haven, Julie Anderson and the Donnellson Health Care Staff for all of the care and love they have showed Martha.
The funeral service for Martha will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 13th, in Lunning Chapel. Mrs. Julie Anderson will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the time of service.
Memorials have been established for Zion United Church of Christ and First United Methodist Church.
"Martha was a great addition to Sunday service. We were fortunate to have her attend our services and have missed her since she moved. She loved the childrens time. "
"Martha and her parents lived next door to Dean and I on South Starr for a long time. Martha loved to "hide" things from her mother and Rose would eventually find them. Martha was a very sweet person who loved to come over and sit and chat. She lived a good life and was so proud of Hope Haven and the Gugeler Home. Her guardian took good care of her."