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Mom life

Sue Bemrich, mother of Matt Bemrich, Mayor of Fort Dodge

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Messenger reached out to area leaders to ask them to tell us about their moms.

Here’s what they had to say:

Sue Bemrich, mother of Matt Bemrich, Mayor of Fort Dodge

Growing up with my Mom was always fun and everything involved learning new things. When we would go places, she always had a memory about what she did when she was little and why she wanted us to know about the little things in life that make it interesting. Her smile and laughter were so contagious if any of us had a bad day she had a special way of getting you to smile by saying “I bet you can’t help but smile” while she looked you in the eyes with a smile on her face. It worked every time and always helped change the attitude we had to a positive one. She still is a big part of our daily lives from a call checking up on me or my siblings to a small gesture just to remind us how much she loves and cares for us. She is the Mom every kid deserves and wishes for. My sisters, brother, and I are blessed to call her our Mother.

Pat Burgess, mother of Ann Meyer, Iowa House District 9 Representative

Pat Burgess, mother of Ann Meyer, Iowa House District 9 Representative

The most important qualities I learned from my mother were strength and resilience. I have four siblings, and when I was 19 years old, my father passed away suddenly. At that time, my youngest sister was 10. Suddenly, it was up to my mom to take care of the four children still at home, while working full time. Of course, we were all sad, but my mother demonstrated amazing strength and determination to make sure her family was cared for. She also made sure we all did our part to make sure the household was maintained.

Not too long after that, it became apparent that my elderly grandmother could not care for herself or live alone, so she brought her into our home as well. She has always stepped up and worked to take care of her family. I truly believe that is how I developed the desire to care for people in my family, profession, and community, by following her strong example.

Rita Fleener, mother of Luke Fleener, Webster County Sheriff

I was born here in Fort Dodge and we lived here until I was about 5 years old, and then our family then moved to a small acreage in Dayton where I grew up and lived until my college days. My childhood was filled with lots of memories of living on the acreage in this small town, my father, Sam Fleener Jr., worked at the Fort Dodge Labs and was extremely dedicated to his profession, worked a lot. My mother, Rita Fleener, was the home maker, took care of my sister, Katrina Fleener, and I while holding a job at the elementary school. My mom also managed a large garden to help with keeping us fed, tended to a herd of sheep and show goats, and a couple of dogs. Life seemed so simple on that acreage, but my mom and dad both instilled in me that working hard will always lead to positive results. People have said that “we didn’t grow up as rich kids, but it sure seemed like we always had what we needed,” and that certainly was true for us as kids, but my parents were hard workers and taught us that nothing was free. I truly believe I am the person I am today because of the virtues taught to me by both my parents, truth, honesty, integrity and working hard at what you are committed to. My father passed away several years ago now, and is still missed by all of us but not forgotten. My mother now lives here in Fort Dodge and enjoys playing cards and having coffee with her friends and enjoying retirement. Thank you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!

Elaine Geerdes, mother of Kari Prescott, Executive Director of Webster County Health Department

Rita Fleener, mother of Luke Fleener, Webster County Sheriff

My mother is a saint! To say I was a rebellious teenager is a bit of an understatement. Growing up in George, Iowa, trouble always seemed to follow me, or at least that was what I would tell my parents. But, let’s be real, I found the trouble. My mother is a strong Christian German woman. Early in my 20’s and 30’s, as I stumbled through life at times, I was comforted in knowing I could always call home and more importantly, I was always welcomed home. Sometimes she encouraged me to come home to talk or take a breather from “life.” When life or situations were troublesome, my mother would always call, sometimes daily, to check on me and offer advice. She always ended our conversations with “keep your chin up, things WILL get better.” When life was good, she would be one of the first people I would call to share the good news. The life lessons my mother instilled in me are too numerous to mention. My mother through the years has been a role model, a confidant, an educator, a social worker, a drill sergeant, a medical consultant, and sometimes my ATM machine. She provided me enough to send me out into the world to explore, grow, learn and yes, sometimes fail. Mom always had her arms open to welcome me home. I am truly blessed to have a mom like her! Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Thank you for always being there for me! I Love you!

Tory Ulrich, mother of Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College

The most important thing to my Mom in her life is her family. Raising four boys couldn’t have been easy, but Mom instilled in us the importance of helping those in need, especially our family members. Growing up with the brothers, our house was always busy. Mom ran an in-home daycare, so there were always more kids in the house than just her boys. Truth be told, she has raised a lot of kids in West Bend! I’m truly grateful for the love and support my Mother has provided me over the years. She is always there when we need her and is always finding adventures for her grandkids to experience. Love you, Mom!

Elinor-Ann Coble, mother of Stephanie Coble-Day, Community Christian School Principal

My mom, Elinor-Ann L. Coble was one of the greatest influences in my life. She was strong, graceful and a woman of great faith. She believed in having fun and laughing out loud, being in service to others and quick to lend a helping hand. She had a great sense of wonder, enjoyed traveling, quick to smile, always upbeat and never stopped learning. My mom encouraged my five brothers and sisters and I to be independent, free thinkers and get a good education. Mom was caring and loving and found a way to make all six of us kids feel special, cared for and loved.

Elaine Geerdes, mother of Kari Prescott, Executive Director of Webster County Health Department

My mom was creative and enjoyed sewing, knitting, baking, music and reading the Bible. She and my dad wanted to be missionaries but when their plans changed they decided to be farmers and raise children. My mom was also a teacher and loved kids, she inspired me to become a teacher. My mom taught me so many things like how to swim, how to bake and cook and how to sew. She always told us to leave a place better than you found it. And that is something I still do today, whether it means picking up trash on the sidewalk, smiling at a stranger or just being kind, I try to leave a positive impact and better than I found it.

Unfortunately my mom passed away from cancer when I was a senior in high school.

Even though it has been over 35 years I still find strength and inspiration in having her as my mom and know I will always have someone looking out for me from above. I try to keep a positive attitude, see the good in others and willing to lend a hand, just like mom did. I was blessed to have had her as a mother and I hope I am half the mom she was.

Love you Mom always,

Stephanie

Tory Ulrich, mother of Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College

Nedra Conrad, mother of Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad, Fort Dodge Firefighter Lt. Nate Conrad, Fort Dodge City Councilman Neven Conrad

Mother’s Day provides a tremendous opportunity to reflect on how blessed we have been during our lives. Blessed to be able to have and rely on an ever-supporting mother. Blessed to have been taught by her to always look to understand all sides of a situation. Blessed to have a moral compass set by her example. Blessed to have her immense love of music flow through us. Blessed to know that in the bad times she would be there with a stern look, but still a comforting embrace. Blessed to know that in the good times we would be met with her smile that lights up the room. Blessed to know that she cared — and cared deeply — about each of us every single day.

Above all, Mother’s Day gives us the chance to recognize that we are just plain lucky to have a mother to share the day with. All of us will experience loss at some stage of our lives, and many have been without their mother figure for many years or perhaps their entire life. We count ourselves lucky to sit at her table and enjoy what is perhaps the greatest blessing of all — her continued presence in our lives. We are truly blessed. Happy Mother’s Day, Mamasita!

Barbara Thomsen, mother of Mary Gibb, President of St. Edmond Catholic School

I come from a very strong working class family that worked hard for everything they had. Early on in my life, I was told if you want something in life, you have to work for it, don’t expect anything to be handed to you. My mother would said, “as long as we have our faith, our health and each other” we have everything we need. My mother was a great example of that. She was from a family of eight that had very little money and she wanted to get a Catholic education so she moved out of her home to be a full-time nanny for a family closer to the Catholic School. She also had another job before school so she could afford the tuition at Heelan. She never took anything or anyone for granted. She cherished her family and friends right up until the time of her death two months ago. I am grateful for so many things she passed along to me but the greatest gift of all was her faith.

Elinor-Ann Coble, mother of Stephanie Coble-Day, Community Christian School Principal

Leanne Hartley, mother of Bruce Hartley, Principal of St. Paul Lutheran School

From the time I was young I remember my mom playing the piano, singing and directing the church choir, and playing accompaniment for solo contests for high school students. She tried to teach me to play the piano but I was not a very good student so after much complaining she finally allowed me to quit. I wish I had worked a little harder at that.

When I got into middle school and high school, singing and playing the trumpet came a little easier because she had taught me how to read the notes, lines, and symbols on the music. She spent many hours and Saturdays playing for me as I competed in solo contests. To this day when I am asked to sing I can count on her to help me find music or practice with me until a piece is ready.

Mom has always been there to help me with whatever was needed, not only with music but whatever she could. She rarely worked outside our home but she always volunteered in the churches my dad served in and was very active. She taught me the values that guide me and that I try to live up to today.

Nedra Conrad, mother of Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad, Fort Dodge Firefighter Lt. Nate Conrad, Fort Dodge City Councilman Neven Conrad

Barbara Thomsen, mother of Mary Gibb, President of St. Edmond Catholic School

Leanne Hartley, mother of Bruce Hartley, Principal of St. Paul Lutheran School

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