My sympathies to Tom, Sam, Angie and grandkids. Joyce and I started our teaching careers at McKinley Middle School. We laughed and reminisced about those early days of "stomping out ignorance" for many years while Joyce was at Kennedy and I was at Jefferson. Joyce was one of the classiest ladies I knew. She was a true friend, and I will miss her terribly. She touched many lives and mine was one of them. Thinking of all of you at this sad sad time.

Beverly Bokn Spilman
April 19, 2014

Please accept my condolences on the passing Of Frau.....She was a dear friend of my mother when they taught at McKinley & at Kennedy......

Joan VanBerkum
April 19, 2014

Angie, sorry to read of your mother's passing. May memories sustain you and your family.

Mary Odegaard
April 19, 2014

I had Frau for german at Kennedy. She was awesome. My mom had a conference with Frau once. They talked about the fact that I should not be having trouble in math class because the math teacher was good looking.... I will miss her...

Sara Reed
April 20, 2014

I was an exchange student in 1989/90 at Kennedy and had Frau S. as my German teacher. Loved her. Great personality. Often remembered her, especially a field trip to the Amish community. So sorry that we have all lost her. Deepest condolences to her family.

Nives Miosic
April 20, 2014

Frau was one of my favorite teachers in high school (and there weren't many). I have many cherished memories from going to Germany with her, including Dramamine, a golf cart and no stamp in my passport. When we returned fro Germany and I newly double pierced my ears, my mother would not speak to me, however Frau was there to comfort me and take over "mother". She meant the world to me in high school. When I last saw her, I was with my future husband and in laws and introduced one of the best teachers I ever had to them with pride. I will miss Frau, but the impressions she left will be there forever. Peace be with you Frau. Danke schoon fur alles.

Michelle Blair Herbst
April 20, 2014

My deepest sympathy to Joy's family at her sudden passing and my heart - felt gratitude for including me in her last days. Joy and I had rooms across from each other at Kennedy for almost 20 years. My favorite memories of Joy are the sound of her laugh and when I'd say something to her in Spanish and she'd answer in German (I speak no German). But we totally understood each other and it freaked out our students! Frau was teacher, source of wisdom and comfort, and dear friend to so many of us. She was so proud of her family and her life was complete when she met the love of her life, Tom. Peace, dear friend. I will miss you always.

Laurie Bark
April 20, 2014

Tom, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this most difficult time. God bless.

Dave and Betty Krahling
April 20, 2014

Frau was my teacher in the early eighties. She was truly one of the best. She always made students feel special. I have thought of her many times over the years. In my year book, a line she wrote was, "Never forget us!" I never have. What a special lady.

Amy Techau
April 20, 2014

Tom - please accept our condolences and sympathy for your loss. I hope your memories will sustain you. Thinking of you and all your family. Sharron & Jack

Sharron McElmeel
April 20, 2014

Angie, Kristen & Eric - so sorry for the passing of your wonderful Mom and Grandma. She was a really neat lady. Prayers for you all.

betty
April 20, 2014

Thank you for sharing your wife and mother with us. I took German at Kennedy from '87-'90. Frau stuck out among the other teachers because she would talk to anyone in German, even if they didn't understand what she was saying, and because of her "Einstein" hair. She was a great advocate for language learning and German in particular. She was a talented teacher and connected with her students. Frau gave me her time on several occasions to talk about personal matters when I needed. She listened and never judged. My condolences.

Jill Showman
April 20, 2014

I learned German from Frau from '82-'85 at Kennedy. Her passion for learning, teaching and adventure have been guiding me ever since. Through these lessons I studied German at University of Northern Iowa, and teach German. I remember stories about boiling milk during travels in India and laughing when she couldn't find her glasses when they were on top of her head. I'm not sure she was aware of how positive her influence was on me. Thanks for sharing her with me.

Michael Dankert
April 20, 2014

Please accept my condolences. Frau was one of my favorite teachers that I had. She was very influential in my life and taught me a lot about trust and happiness. She was more than a teacher to me she was a very good friend that shared in the good times of my life. I am so glad I was able to associate so closely with her.

James Eaton
April 20, 2014

Jon, I was so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I had your mother for German when we were at Kennedy. Frau was always one of my favorite teachers. The world lost a wonderful woman. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time.

Sherry Baker Embrey
April 21, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. Hands down my favorite teacher. She was passionate about her work, which made it so much easier to learn the language. Tschüss, Frau.

Boone
April 21, 2014

Frau was my favorite teacher at Kennedy High School. She made German so very interesting and taught it so well that when I took more German in college I knew and understood not only the language but the grammar better than most of my classmates. We had so much fun in her class and she treated us all as if we were her kids. We could talk to her about anything and many asked her advice about life too. I'm so sorry for your loss - I'm sure she will be missed. I have the fondest memories of her.

Sue Leimkuehler
April 21, 2014

Jon, so sorry for your loss. Your mom was everyone's mom. A true educator of life. I learned many life lessons from her. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Scott Sheetz
April 21, 2014

The one beacon of light in my entire school career. She was the only teacher I ever felt truly cared about and was invested in me as a student. I am truly glad to have met her, and cherish the fond memories.

Justin Jindrich
April 21, 2014

The one beacon of light in my entire school career. She was the only teacher I ever felt truly cared about and was invested in me as a student. I am truly glad to have met her, and cherish the fond memories.

Justin Jindrich
April 21, 2014

Frau taught both me AND my mother at Kennedy. She was an outstanding teacher, but also so much more than that. She truly cared for her students and I will miss chatting with her. Tschuss, Frau -Johanna

Alysa J Smith
April 21, 2014

Tom, From the responses I read here, you have suffered a huge loss. Sorry I never met "Joy". The reviews remind me of my favorite teacher at Delhi Consolidated, your mother Mildred. We don't live in Delhi anymore so regretfully will miss the memorial service. Roger

Roger Schnittjer
April 21, 2014

Tom, Angie, and Sam. I worked with your wife/mom at McKinley for several years a few years ago. We shared so many fun stories about "stomping out ignorance". We loved our students/job. Joyce was such a classy lady. Eventually she went to teach at that 'other' high school, JFK, and I went to teach at JHS. I will never forget her and that great personality. Thinking of you all during this sad sad time.

Beverly Spilman
April 21, 2014

Tom....we were so sorry to hear of your loss. We never met although from others we know what a great lady she was. Glad you can lean on family, friends and memories to help you cope. Prayers for you and your entire family.

Becky/Jim Madden
April 21, 2014

I was so sorry to see the passing of Frau! She is my all time favorite teacher from Kennedy. I signed up for 1 German class in 1980 and stayed on for two more. The lady could reach out so effortlessly and was a classy, decent person. She was so much fun to listen to. Her breaking the glass top coffee table during a Hawkeye basketball game was hilarious. Not only did they lose, she lost her table top...She was a pleasure to have as a teacher and I have never forgotten how kind and funny she was. I was glad to have such a role model with such grace....

Stacy Kidd Michalec
April 21, 2014

A true original. It was a special group of people who were in German class at CR Kennedy from '92-'96 and we all share a bond thanks to Frau Gaddie. Many of us remain very close to this day, and we love to tell Frau stories. We who spent all 4 years together in her class were experts at driving her nuts. She would sometimes just shake her head at us with what we tried to get away with. How she was able to motivate and inspire such a group of yahoos is truly amazing in retrospect! She was so proud of us when we would receive any kind of award, or when she heard our names on the radio for making a tackle in a football game, or for any other simple achievement. I remember her being overjoyed about her marriage to Herr Gaddie when we were sophomores. We were very excited for her as well. My mom told her in a conference my senior year that she was my favorite teacher, as well as the favorite of many of my friends. Frau started crying and said, "They are a great group." She meant so much to me and to all of us in her class. To her family I express my heartfelt condolences at the loss of such a fine individual. God bless you all!

Mike Franzman
April 21, 2014

It was a pleasure having Frau Gaddie as a teacher. She is always the first teacher that comes to mind when thinking about high school, and the first teacher I would ask about when visiting Brenda and David Hack back home. My deepest sympathies to her family, I'll carry on only wonderful memories.

Alex Reynolds
April 21, 2014

Frau Gaddie will be missed. Her attitude and spirit made class memorable and enjoyable. She will always be a positive memory of my high school years

Jesse
April 21, 2014

Frau G was one of my favorite teachers at Kennedy, and for many years after a bright spot in my return visits. She loved all her students, and made a big impression on just about all of us. She'll be sorely missed

Mike Curtis
April 21, 2014

Deepest sympathies to you and your entire family. My daughter Stephanie was a student of Frau Gaddie's during her Freshman year at Kennedy and truly enjoyed learning the German language. We were glad that she got to experience German through Frau. Best wishes to you.

Mark H. Rettig
April 22, 2014

My sympathies to Frau's family. I was in her German class from 00-03 and she was truely an inspirational teacher. I will never forget the time spent in her class and the many ways she made language learning fun and interesting. Danke Frau, for all you did for our class and all your students, you were such a bright light in our high school career.

Karen (Lottes) Summers
April 22, 2014

Please accept our sympathy for your sudden loss of a dear lady. She will be missed.

Joe and Carla Knutson
April 22, 2014

My condolences to everyone in Frau's family. I was in Frau's German class from 1990-1994 and strangely enough, she became my neighbor when she married Tom. Frau was a wonderful teacher, friend, supporter, and never stopped challenging us to become not only better students, but better people. She had high standards for her students that served me well as I went on to college, graduate school, and now as a professor myself. My world was a better place because I was blessed to cross Frau's path my freshman year. Auf Wiedersehen mit Liebe.

Beth (Elsasser) Mays
April 22, 2014

To Frau's family, my condolences. There are few people who have an impact on one's life...Frau meant so much to me...she came to my wedding 8 years after high school graduation. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carrie Graham
April 22, 2014

Angie, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. She was an awesome lady. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cathy Thomas
April 23, 2014

Joyce Gaddie taught three of our children German. They enjoyed her as a caring teacher. We were out of town an unable to attend the visitation. Our family appreciates what she has done for the community.

Keith J. Westercamp
April 23, 2014

Frau was one of those teachers that truly made an impact on the lives of her students. She displayed so much passion and love for her students and was always our biggest cheerleader! I love the memories and 'Frau' stories and share them often with my family, friends, and students. Her wonderful example has influenced my own teaching and I can only hope to pass on her passion for life to my own students. You are all in my thoughts a prayers.

Lisa (Henning) Bates
April 25, 2014

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frau. She was truly a 'joy' to have as a teacher and was one of my favorites! She had such a witty personality that made German class a blast. I'm sure I speak for all of us in the German class of '94-'97 that she will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences. God Bless.

Brooke (Boston) Bennett
April 28, 2014

While I didn't have Ms. Gaddie as my teacher, she was always smiling in the hallways and I really liked her at Kennedy. My sincere condolences and prayers to her family and friends. <3

Sherry (Fernandez) Hale
April 29, 2014

I mentioned my favorite teacher "Frau Sauer" to someone this evening, and that person told me she had recently passed. I just wanted to tell you what a special person she was. I graduated back in 1990, but she has always held a special place in my heart. So sad such a great lady is gone from us. I also learned a couple facts about her from her obituary which makes me love her even more.

Tonya Mills
May 21, 2014

I just came across this last night. Frau taught me German for 3 years. She was the best teacher I ever had in school and that would be including the 4 years I was in college as well. She believed in me when I had stopped believing in myself. That is an extremely rare quality to see in a teacher and usually you only see this quality in the very best. You will always be remembered and never forgotten. You were my favorite teacher. I remember so vividly Frau Gaddie teaching just as much about life in her classroom as she did German. When she was teaching about life, it really truly felt like she cared about me as a person and not just as a student. I will miss you. Thanks, Christoph

Chris Brown
February 24, 2021