We were very sorry to hear about the passing of your mother, what an interesting lady. The obituary brought back lot's of good childhood memories.
Greg and Beckie Williams
February 25, 2015
I am so sorry. I learned of Topsy's passing after the memorial service, but I want to share how much she meant to me. I have so many wonderful childhood memories, and largely because I was lucky enough to live in the same neighborhood as the Aschoff's when growing up. Joey was my best friend and Pete and Mike were like brothers to me at the time. I probably spent as much time at their house as I did at my own (if not more). I absolutely loved being there. I didn't realize that Topsy studied early childhood development, but it makes perfect sense. I thought she was so much fun and just the best at thinking up activities for us. She would let us cook in her kitchen, play in the clothes chute, make a trapeze in the basement, dress up our kitties in doll clothes and take them for a car ride (they loved it :) She would entice Joey and me into taking a nap by calling it a "Queen's Nap" and letting us sleep in the high four-poster bed. When she was Playtime Poppy, she told Joey and me, but made us promise not to tell anyone. I think that was my first "secret," and I remember that we kept it. I went on vacations with the family too, and we did skits in their garage in the summer, played kick the can, and started our own "Girl's Club" because Pete and Mike had a treehouse with a sign "No Girls Allowed." (We couldn't get up to it anyway, lacking the upper body strength to climb the rope!) I was lucky to have grown up in Cedar Rapids in the '50s, but especially lucky to have known the Aschoff's. They treated me like part of the family and I always felt loved and welcome at their house. Topsy was such a special person to me and my family and we all loved her. I was not surprised to learn how involved she has always been in the community too. I can only imagine what kind of grandma she was!
I'm thinking of you, Jo, Mike, Gretchen and your whole family, with love and so many happy memories.
Susie Kinney Westerdahl
Sue Westerdahl
February 22, 2015
Gretchen,
I thought your mother's life story was just exactly as I remembered her, so fun-loving and having a great sense of humor. I always remember the stories you shared about being "younger" than the rest of the family, especially the one when your family was packed and in the car before they realized they didn't have you with them. And can still hear your mother's chuckle when she confirmed the stories. Years later I could identify with them, as our son was born eleven years after our fourth child!
Your mother left good memories with all whom she encountered and shared her life. That's as good a legacy as one can have. Along with the sense of loss there will be laughter and celebration, because that's the way your mother lived. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these days.
Fred Althoff (science teacher at McKinley back in the 70's)
Fred Althoff
February 19, 2015
When I read the news of your mother’s passing on Tuesday, I had so many thoughts that there isn’t enough room to share them in this message. I’m sad that I live too far away to join your celebration of her life. Your mother was my mother’s lifelong friend and your maternal grandparents were friends with my mother’s family. I’ve spent my whole life hearing stories about the adventures of Topsy and Peggy Hruska. They were great ones. At the time they were funny stories; today they're great treasures. Even my Aunt Betts participated in those adventures. They go all the way back to the early 1930's and spanned time until my mother’s death in 2008. Your mother participated in every important event in my mother’s life. It started in kindergarten and went through grade school, junior high, high school, college and their marriages. It went through the births of their children and eventually the deaths of their spouses. They, and several others, maintained their 80+ year friendship in a “Round-Robin” newsletter that my mother was always so happy to receive. I’ve watched your family grow up through pictures and I suspect you watched my family as well.
My mother loved her friend Topsy very much and her life was forever changed because of their relationship. I have a friendship ring that your mother gave to my mother in 1937. She always had it in her jewelry box and it was a treasure. When it was passed to me, I wrote your mother a note and sent her a picture of it. I wanted her to know that I had it, that it was safe and to thank her for her contribution to my mother’s life. My mom would have loved the obituary you published in the paper; it’s clear how much you loved her as well. We should all have a “Topsy” in our lives. Thank you for sharing her. Now they’re together again. God bless you and God bless them.
Barbara Lacke
February 19, 2015
When I read the news of your mother’s passing on Tuesday, I had so many thoughts that there isn’t enough room to share them in this message. I’m sad that I live too far away to join your celebration of her life. Your mother was my mother’s lifelong friend and your maternal grandparents were friends with my mother’s family. I’ve spent my whole life hearing stories about the adventures of Topsy and Peggy Hruska. They were great ones. At the time they were funny stories; today they're great treasures. Even my Aunt Betts participated in those adventures. They go all the way back to the early 1930's and spanned time until my mother’s death in 2008. Your mother participated in every important event in my mother’s life. It started in kindergarten and went through grade school, junior high, high school, college and their marriages. It went through the births of their children and eventually the deaths of their spouses. They, and several others, maintained their 80+ year friendship in a “Round-Robin” newsletter that my mother was always so happy to receive. I’ve watched your family grow up through pictures and I suspect you watched my family as well.
My mother loved her friend Topsy very much and her life was forever changed because of their relationship. I have a friendship ring that your mother gave to my mother in 1937. She always had it in her jewelry box and it was a treasure. When it was passed to me, I wrote your mother a note and sent her a picture of it. I wanted her to know that I had it, that it was safe and to thank her for her contribution to my mother’s life. My mom would have loved the obituary you published in the paper; it’s clear how much you loved her as well. We should all have a “Topsy” in our lives. Thank you for sharing her. Now they’re together again. God bless you and God bless them.
Barbara Lacke
February 19, 2015
I am so sorry at the passing of Topsy. What a delight she was at the bridge table, and I shall really miss her playing in the Elmcrest Country Club marathon. She was such a pleasant and positive presence wherever I would see her, and I recall volunteering with her in Cedar Rapids Junior League. I much enjoyed having the Aschoffs as neighbors when they lived on the river not far from my summer house there, and I remember how pretty Topsy's plantings were around their place. It was always a pleasure to visit with Carl when he would be out on his daily walks on our gravel road, and I knew that Topsy was back home trying to get things growing in our sandy riverfront soil. Her pretty flowers were evidence of her success. My sincerest sympathy is extended to all of her family at this sad time of loss.
Cindy Lundine
February 18, 2015
To the Aschoff family:
On behalf of my parents, David and Ann Pickford, who have since passed away, and myself, I would like to extend my condolences to your family on your Mom's passing. My parents were very good friends of your Mom and Dad and even used your Dad as their doctor for quite awhile. I got to know your Mom while I lived in Cedar Rapids for a several years recently and she was such the lady that had a personality of humor and caring for others. My sympathies are with you at this time.
Louise Pickford
February 17, 2015
I hope you will not find a note from a stranger intrusive, but your mother's life story is an inspiration. I wish I had known her, but just reading about her in the paper this morning gives me a reason to smile and the courage to make a difference in this world. If we are pebbles skipped along the surface of life, hers sent out many ripples.
Julie Zimmer
February 17, 2015
An invitation from Mrs Aschoff and Dr Aschoff was always a delight. Spirits were offered or maybe I should say insisted upon as you walked in the door. The menu was gourmet from salad to dessert and the conversation and camaraderie was always enjoyable.
Her kindness her smile and her touch were always genuine even though she probably knew my picture would never end up on ' the refrigerator.'
My prayers are up for'Topsy' tonight as she embarks on her ultimate journey.
Thank you for being so kind and tell 'Curley' I said hello.
Eric Oliver
February 17, 2015