1919
Mary
2007
Mary Nicklaus
March 9, 1919 — July 1, 2007
Mary Rue Nicklaus, 88, of Parkersburg, Iowa, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, July 1, 2007.
Rue, as she was known, was born March 9, 1919 in Rochelle, Illinois to Howard and Bessie Cooper. On July 22, 1943 she married Frederick G. Nicklaus in Macon, Georgia.
Rue was a life-long learner and educator. She began her teaching career in Port Byron, Illinois, where she met Fred. In 1956 Rue began a career in Special Education as a teacher in Fern, Iowa. She continued her career as the Director of Special Education for Grundy County, then concluded her education career as Curriculum Director at River Hills School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her insight into the individual needs of students along with her innovative ideas to motivate both teachers and students increased the effectiveness of the curriculums she directed.
Rue was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and knitting. She enjoyed sharing her crafting skills with neighborhood adults and children. Rue was the founder of the Dandy Dozen 4-H Club in Parkersburg which continues to enrich the lives of its members.
Rue was also a very active member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Parkersburg. She served on the Finance and Planning Committee for the new church, taught CCD, served on the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society, helped with church dinners, and donated many of her handmade quilts for church raffles.
Rue and her husband Fred were enthusiastic travelers. In addition to traveling the United States extensively, they traveled the world. In their travels, they enjoyed learning the cultures of the countries, and mostly they enjoyed the people they met on their travels.
Rue was preceded in death by her husband Frederick, her parents Howard and Bessie Cooper, her brother Howard Cooper, her sister Lorraine Peterson, and her daughter-in-law Bonnie Nicklaus. She is survived by her children: Rue Ann and Scott Furbish of Clearwater, FL, Mary and Ron Zitzlsperger of Decatur, IL, Jim and Joyce Nicklaus of Des Moines IA, and Robert and Antonietta Nicklaus of St. Charles, IL, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and a loyal friend. She left all of us with many happy memories
Rue, as she was known, was born March 9, 1919 in Rochelle, Illinois to Howard and Bessie Cooper. On July 22, 1943 she married Frederick G. Nicklaus in Macon, Georgia.
Rue was a life-long learner and educator. She began her teaching career in Port Byron, Illinois, where she met Fred. In 1956 Rue began a career in Special Education as a teacher in Fern, Iowa. She continued her career as the Director of Special Education for Grundy County, then concluded her education career as Curriculum Director at River Hills School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her insight into the individual needs of students along with her innovative ideas to motivate both teachers and students increased the effectiveness of the curriculums she directed.
Rue was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and knitting. She enjoyed sharing her crafting skills with neighborhood adults and children. Rue was the founder of the Dandy Dozen 4-H Club in Parkersburg which continues to enrich the lives of its members.
Rue was also a very active member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church in Parkersburg. She served on the Finance and Planning Committee for the new church, taught CCD, served on the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society, helped with church dinners, and donated many of her handmade quilts for church raffles.
Rue and her husband Fred were enthusiastic travelers. In addition to traveling the United States extensively, they traveled the world. In their travels, they enjoyed learning the cultures of the countries, and mostly they enjoyed the people they met on their travels.
Rue was preceded in death by her husband Frederick, her parents Howard and Bessie Cooper, her brother Howard Cooper, her sister Lorraine Peterson, and her daughter-in-law Bonnie Nicklaus. She is survived by her children: Rue Ann and Scott Furbish of Clearwater, FL, Mary and Ron Zitzlsperger of Decatur, IL, Jim and Joyce Nicklaus of Des Moines IA, and Robert and Antonietta Nicklaus of St. Charles, IL, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and a loyal friend. She left all of us with many happy memories
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