Rebecca “Sue” Wald
Rebecca “Sue” Wald, 73, of Bradgate, passed away Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, at the Lakes Regional Healthcare facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 5th, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Humboldt. Mass will be live streamed via Lentz Funeral Home's website. Interment will take place at St. John's Cemetery in Gilmore City. A visitation was on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Lentz Funeral Home in Gilmore City with a scripture service that followed. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Gilmore City.
R. Sue Wald, daughter of Frank Bennett Stearns, Jr. and Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Stearns, was born on August 12th, 1950, in Fort Dodge. Sue graduated from Gilmore City High School with the class of 1968. On June 14, 1969, Sue was united in marriage to Joseph “Joe” Henry Wald at St. John's Catholic Church in Gilmore City. They were married for 54 years. Sue was a fabulous baker and great cook. She worked various jobs in her 73 years, including legal secretary, tax preparer, store clerk, hospital dietitian, teacher associate, para educator and most recently as a “field-Jocky” for her daughter and grandson. Sue loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and in her large garden, frequently sharing her produce.
Sue was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she often volunteered baked goods. She was the sitting president of the Harnett-Johnson American Legion in Gilmore City, as well as a County Auxiliary member and a member of the Gilmore City Senior Citizens. Sue loved the Bradgate community where she served on the town council.
Sue is survived by her children: Valinda “Lindy” Shelgren of Humboldt and her children: Machensey (Colin Chabot) Shelgren and Brady (Madi Frideres) Shelgren; Leslynn (Tom) Kleespies of Longmont, Colorado, and their children: Bailey and Clay Kleespies; Kaylene (Scott) Lang of Fort Dodge and their children: Bennett Lang, Thomas (Emilie Wendell) Lang and Gabriel Lang; Joel (Vanessa Whittle) Wald of Vienna, Missouri, and his children: Ayden and Rosemary Wald; Kristelle (Jason) Caquelin of Longmont, Colorado, and their children: Sydney, Taryn and Brooke Caquelin; and Cale Wald of Humboldt; siblings: Terry (Jean) Stearns, Kenny Stearns, Bob (Sheryl) Stearns, Laurie (Gale) Loges, Kelvin Stearns, and Jolene (Kirk) Pisel, and sister-in-law Mary Ann (Richard) Gawtry, and many family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in April; her in-laws; her parents: Frank and Betty Stearns; and son-in-law: Rod Shelgren.